The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its threat to punish anyone found guilty of either instigating violence or plotting to rig the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria.
This comes as the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has said it would deploy over 8,000 observers across the 8,809 wards for the February 16, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly election.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the launch of Situation Room Hub for 2019 election, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, also expressed concern over the use of hate speech at a recent campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Laing also condemned the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We try to play our part investing in that but also using our policy levers. And there was mention of our statements. We made two statements but one was slightly more popular than the other. Our statement to remind all of the political parties about our visa policy, which is our existing policy. We just reminded people that anyone who is found to have incited violence could be subject to a visa ban, having their assets in the UK ceased or in worse case scenario a prosecution. And we have applied that equally across the world. It is not directed at any particular individual or party.
“On our statement on the Chief Justice, we took a cue from some of your experts and civil societies, which did not go down very well (with the Nigerian government). But for our own credibility, when our final assessments are made, we have to call things out when we feel they are off track.
“On hate speech, I am extremely concerned at a recent PDP rally with some really horrible hate speech,” she said.
According to the High Commissioner, conducting free, fair and credible poll would restore investors confidence in the country.
This, she stressed, will give the country the much needed Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
She added: “2015 (election) was absolutely historic. The world celebrated with Nigeria. And it mattered not just for Nigeria but for the African continent and for the opposition in the world. So, these elections matter even more because if you can show you can consolidate that, then the world will think that Nigeria is definitely moving in the right direction towards embedding democracy. And that will matter even for your investors. It will send an incredibly strong signal to investors.
“Looking back from the last election, there is definitely improvement, INEC’s performance is strengthened, civil society as a whole has a much stronger voice. Of course, your voice is one of the reasons INEC is stronger”.
It would be recalled that in January this year, the UK, United States and European Union had threatened to punish election riggers and those who incite violence on the Nigerian election.
They also condemned the suspension of Onnoghen by Buhari.
Their criticisms drew the wrath of the Presidency, describing their comments as foreign interference.
Others who spoke at the event and stressed the need for credible polls include the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas among others.
Earlier in his remarks, Convener of Situation Room, Clement Nwankwo, said it would deploy over 8,000 observers across the 8,809 wards for the February 16, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly election.
While expressing concern over the burning of three INEC offices across the country, he wondered why the Federal Government did not categorically denounce comments of the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who issued death threats to foreigners in Nigeria. “Even local observers are apprehensive with the comments,” Nwankwo stated.
In his goodwill message, INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, assured that despite the burning of offices of the commission in three states, the election would not be postponed.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
