The British High Commission in Abuja has congratulated voters in Ekiti State for their participation in the June 20 governorship election and praised their commitment to democratic principles.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Commission also congratulated Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his re-election victory.
The Commission commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other stakeholders for what it described as the peaceful and orderly conduct of the election.
According to the statement, the election was the first major poll conducted under the Electoral Act 2026 and its accompanying guidelines. British High Commission observers engaged with key stakeholders, including INEC officials and police representatives, before the election to assess the implementation of the new legal framework.
The observers reported positive collaboration between electoral officials and security agencies on election day, noting that their efforts contributed significantly to maintaining peace during the voting process.
The Commission also praised the prioritisation of vulnerable voters at several polling units. However, it expressed concern that many polling centres visited were physically inaccessible to persons with disabilities due to their location and setup.
It urged election stakeholders to strengthen efforts to improve accessibility across all polling units ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The observer team further noted delays associated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in some polling units, which slowed the voting process. The Commission warned that technical challenges could undermine public confidence in electoral systems and discourage voter participation.
Additionally, the observers raised concerns over reported cases of vote trading and interference by party agents at some polling stations.
“Vote trading erodes public confidence and undermines the democratic process,” the statement said, calling on relevant authorities and political actors to take urgent measures to curb the practice.
Looking ahead to the next off-cycle governorship election in Osun State, the British High Commission urged INEC, security agencies, political parties, and other stakeholders to apply lessons learned from the Ekiti election.
The Commission also reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic development as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
It stated that the credibility of future elections would be critical to strengthening public trust in democratic institutions, advancing Nigeria’s development, and reinforcing its leadership role on the African continent.
“The UK stands ready to continue working with the Nigerian Government and civil society to champion credible electoral processes, strengthen democratic institutions, and support organisations working to build a more inclusive and accountable system,” the statement added.
The British High Commission concluded by once again congratulating Governor Oyebanji on his re-election and expressing optimism about continued cooperation between the United Kingdom and Ekiti State.
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