Nigeria needs credible 2027 polls to retain trust – UK envoy

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has said the credibility of the 2027 general elections will be crucial to sustaining public confidence in the country’s democratic process.

He said the integrity of the polls will also preserve the country’s leadership role on the African continent.

Montgomery spoke on Friday in Abuja during the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room June 12 Democracy Day Dialogue and Photo Exhibition.

The envoy said ensuring that the elections are credible, peaceful and inclusive would require the collective efforts of stakeholders, particularly civil society organisations, which he described as central to strengthening democratic institutions ahead of the polls

Speaking on the 2027 general elections, Montgomery said the credibility of the polls would be vital for Nigeria’s continued progress.

He said, “The credibility of the next elections will be vital for public confidence in the democratic process and for Nigeria’s continued progress, and indeed for its leadership across Africa and beyond.

“Ensuring that they are credible, peaceful and inclusive will require the collective efforts of many, and civil society organisations will be absolutely central to this

The British envoy also called for greater participation of women, youths, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups in the electoral process.

“As the President said in his Democracy Day speech this morning, democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. We strongly believe that civil society organisations have key roles to play in holding the electoral process to account and making it more inclusive.

“The meaningful participation of women, younger people, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups is important. This inclusion will determine whether citizens trust or doubt electoral outcomes,” he added.

Montgomery pledged the United Kingdom’s continued support for efforts aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, promoting transparency and advancing credible electoral processes in Nigeria.

“We will work with you in the coming months and years in championing credible electoral processes, strengthening democratic institutions and supporting organisations working for more inclusive processes and outcomes,” he said

The envoy noted that while June 12 remains a powerful symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, democracy requires continuous effort, citizen participation and institution-building.

“June 12 remains such a powerful symbol of your struggle to shape your democratic future. It represents a milestone, but it’s also an enduring reminder that democracy is built through courage, resilience and persistence of individual people who choose to act and support the process,” he said.

Montgomery described democracy as a continuous process rather than a single event, saying civil society had remained central to Nigeria’s democratic development.

“We strongly believe that democracy, despite all its flaws, is the best system for enabling people to shape the decisions that affect their lives. For such a huge, complicated and diverse country as Nigeria, democracy is incredibly important for your stability and your prosperity going forward,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and Convener of the Situation Room, Clement Nwankwo, expressed concerns over developments in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.

He warned against allowing the gains of June 12 to be undermined by shortcomings in the electoral process.

“We do not want January 16 to be a defeat of June 12. The signals we are getting are not good enough. It is not encouraging,” Nwankwo said.

He urged civil society groups to closely monitor developments and hold relevant institutions accountable.

Also speaking, former member of the House of Representatives, Abdul Oroh, urged young Nigerians to actively participate in politics rather than remain on the sidelines, saying greater youth involvement was necessary to strengthen the country’s democracy.

Don’t wait till you are 30 to start. You can join any political party today. Even though some of the parties we see now look like special purpose vehicles, you will learn from it. Start, mix with other Nigerians, other young Nigerians, mobilise and participate. If you don’t participate, you will be on the sideline,” he said.

June 12 is observed annually as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country’s history and won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.

The day commemorates the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists and the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.