The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, has stated that the United Kingdom will not support or endorse any candidate in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
She made this position clear during a courtesy visit to Kwara State Governor and Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in Ilorin as part of a three-day official visit to the state.
Lever emphasised that the British government remains strictly neutral in Nigeria’s political process and will not interfere in electoral outcomes or support any political party or individual.
She said the UK’s focus is to support elections that are free, peaceful, inclusive, and credible, stressing that democratic processes must reflect the will of the people without external influence.
According to her, while the UK will not dictate how Nigerians vote, it remains committed to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting transparency during elections.
She added that credible elections are not only a democratic requirement but also important for economic stability and investor confidence.
In response, Governor AbdulRazaq highlighted his administration’s achievements in education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure development in Kwara State.
He said his government has addressed longstanding challenges in the state, including salary arrears, poor school conditions, and infrastructure deficits inherited from previous administrations.
The governor noted improvements in basic education, healthcare delivery, and worker welfare, adding that the state is now more financially stable and better structured for development.
He also disclosed plans to increase the state minimum wage to ₦100,000 and highlighted investments in agriculture, including the establishment of a Shea processing factory in Kaiama.
AbdulRazaq further discussed ongoing efforts to improve security and rural safety across the state through collaboration with stakeholders.
The visit also included engagements with other state officials, including the First Lady of Kwara State.
