UK to observe Ekiti, Osun polls, APC pledges peaceful elections

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ABUJA — The British Government has announced plans to deploy election observers for the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, as part of efforts to ensure credible and peaceful polls in Nigeria.

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British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

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Montgomery said the UK would closely monitor the elections, describing them as the final off-cycle governorship polls ahead of the 2027 general elections, and stressed the importance of peaceful and transparent processes.

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“We will send delegations to observe the elections because these will be the final off-season governorship elections before the general elections next year. We want to see peaceful, credible and successful elections,” he said.

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He added that the United Kingdom remained committed to supporting Nigeria’s democratic institutions while respecting its sovereignty, noting that Nigeria’s stability was vital to Africa and the wider international community.

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“Nigeria is by far the largest country in Africa and what happens here matters greatly. We have significant economic, financial and security investments in Nigeria, and therefore Nigeria’s stability and democratic success are important to us,” he said.

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In his remarks, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, assured that the party would prioritise peace and stability before, during and after the elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

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“We are discussing issues, not sentiments. We are very conscious of the need to avoid actions that could destabilize any part of the country. Our focus is to ensure that both states remain peaceful and stable,” he said.

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Yilwatda also said the APC would continue to promote issue-based politics, while urging international partners to sustain support for Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

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He noted that the APC’s internal processes remained largely peaceful, claiming that more than 6,000 members participated in recent primaries with minimal disputes.

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“We had more than 6,000 party members participate in our primaries across different levels, and less than three percent generated petitions,” he said.

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The APC chairman further highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, saying the administration was working towards building a stronger economy and investing in critical infrastructure.

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Earlier, Montgomery reiterated the UK’s interest in Nigeria’s democratic progress, describing the country as central to stability across Africa and beyond.

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The meeting underscored growing international attention ahead of Nigeria’s off-cycle governorship elections, with both parties emphasizing peace, credibility and democratic consolidation.

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