The British High Commissioner to Nigeria Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Catriona Laing, has noted that the United Kingdom (UK) does not have any interest in any of the candidates that may emerge from the presidential election that is scheduled to hold in February 2023.
Laing made this disclosure in Abuja yesterday when she visited the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Buhari House.
She said the essence of the visit was part of the tour the High Commission is paying to all political parties and their presidential candidates on the need for a secure environment for elections.
The envoy disclosed that she discussed the importance of security for the election and the need for more people to turn in their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) so that they can vote on Election Day.
According to her, “The UK doesn’t have a preferred candidate. We are committed to free and fair elections, but we will work with whoever presidential candidate emerges from the election. The UK and Nigeria have a very strong partnership, and we want Nigeria to succeed. And democracy is part of it.
“This is one meeting I am having with political parties. And meeting the presidential candidates and the party chairmen. Today is for the APC chairman to pass on our message about the general election.
“We welcome Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and the president’s commitment to secure elections.
“We talked a little more in detail about the conditions necessary for that to happen. And the concern about insecurity. And the importance of the people on the day and encouraging more people to register because they need to turn and vote on the day of the election. That means no intimidation and a secure environment. And people feel they can vote for the candidate they want.”
