2027 – Envoy says British government has no preferred candidate

By Demola Akinyemi

Ilorin — British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Gill Lever, said yesterday that the British government has no preferred candidate for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Lever made the statement during a courtesy visit to Kwara State governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at Government House in Ilorin. She emphasized that the United Kingdom would not interfere in the conduct of the elections and that it is interested only in free, peaceful and credible outcomes.

During a separate meeting with Kwara State First Lady, Ambassador Okufolake AbdulRazaq, Lever said: “British government would support free, peaceful and credible election in Nigeria next year.”

“Downing Street has no favourite political party and will not be seen interfering in local political matters. We all want to see elections that are peaceful, that are inclusive, that are credible, with space for participation, with respect for institutions,” she added.

“The British government, as you’ll understand, is entirely neutral. We do not favour one party or another, and we would never be in the business of telling Nigerian people how to vote.”

“But peaceful and credible elections, of course, are not only a democratic objective. This is not only about the Commonwealth values and the values of democracy that we’ve long shared, they’re also an economic objective or imperative as well.”

While praising Governor AbdulRazaq’s efforts to improve living standards in Kwara State, Lever noted: “Kwara, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has become a model for gender equity.”

“First of all, you’re a strong advocate for women’s representation in governance and I think Kwara, under your leadership, has been a trailblazer for women’s rights and women’s participation in the political life of your state.”

Lever also said the British government is working in several states to enhance digital skills and nurture young talent in the technology sector.

In response, Governor AbdulRazaq said his administration has turned around the state’s fortunes, citing progress across health, education, agriculture and road infrastructure.

He stated: “We have made significant progress in different sectors of the economy: from health, education, agriculture and road infrastructure. When we came in 2019, things just weren’t working in the state.”

“From backlogs of pensions and gratuities to payment of half‑salaries to blacklist of Kwara by Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC.”

“When we came in, 99% of schools did not have WASH facilities and no fencing of schools; teachers were, in fact, owed months in salary arrears. Today, we are up‑to‑date in investment in basic education with payment of counterpart funds to UBEC.”

“We have expanded access to education, healthcare and we are making prompt payment of salaries as well as improving the welfare of the workforce. We have cleared backlog of salaries we met. In fact, we are planning to raise minimum wage again this year to N100,000,” the governor said.

He explained that investments in education and health have yielded positive results, with improved sector ratings and broader access to services.

“We have expanded access to university education with the (completion of) two campuses of KWASU in Kwara North and South. Then, by the time we will be leaving office by 2027, Kwara will have five teaching hospitals to bridge shortage of manpower in the health sector,” AbdulRazaq added.

On agriculture, the governor said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is encouraging farming activities and that the state has established a shea processing factory in Kaiama, which will become the second largest in Nigeria when operational.

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