The United Kingdom says it will use its visa programme to punish Nigerian politicians involved in electoral violence during and after the 2023 general elections, either directly or indirectly.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, who gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, promised that the UK government would support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure free, fair and credible polls.
While noting that the UK will partner with the United States to ensure that there is credible election, Laing assured that the UK would monitor the elections closely.
She said, “I should say we always say that each election alongside our U.S. partners that we will have eyes on; we will be monitoring this election closely on the ground and through other means.
“And if we understand that an individual has been involved in violence, either directly or through inciting violence, we can use our visa programme to ensure that that person is not allowed to travel to the UK."
Laing further expressed optimism that with the new electoral law which she said was supported by the UK government, the 2023 elections will be free and fair.