The UK Government and Nigeria 2023 Presidential Elections

The colonial legacy of the British empire in Nigeria has created a deep rift between the people and the government. The British imposed their political and economic system on the diverse ethnic groups of Nigeria, disregarding their cultural and religious differences. The British also exploited the natural resources of Nigeria, leaving behind poverty and underdevelopment. These historical injustices have fuelled resentment and distrust among the Nigerian population, who feel marginalized and oppressed by the ruling elites.

The history of Nigeria is marked by the legacy of colonialism and the struggle for self-determination. During the British rule, the Fulani oligarchy was given a privileged position to govern Nigeria, while the people of southern Nigeria faced marginalization and exploitation. The Ibo ethnic group, one of the largest and most influential in the south, resisted this injustice and fought for their independence in the 1960s. However, they were defeated by the combined forces of the Nigerian federal government and its allies. Since then, the demand for secession has not died down, as many southerners feel oppressed and alienated by the northern-dominated political system and its alliance with the Yoruba ethnic group.

Nigeria is a country that has been plagued by many challenges, especially corruption and political instability. The ruling class has exploited the people and manipulated the electoral system to stay in power. The masses have been suffering from poverty, insecurity, and lack of basic amenities.

The 2023 presidential election was supposed to be a chance for the people to choose a new leader who would bring positive change and development to the country. However, the election was marred by irregularities, violence, and fraud. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Bola Tinubu of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) won the election with 36.61% of the vote, followed by Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 29.07% and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) with 25.40%.

Many Nigerians and observers rejected the result, claiming that it did not reflect the will of the people. They accused INEC of colluding with the APC to rig the election in favour of Tinubu. They also alleged that there were cases of vote buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, underage voting, and result manipulation.

Peter Obi, who had a strong support base in the south-east region, declared himself the winner of the election, saying that he had evidence of massive fraud and irregularities. He called on his supporters to resist the imposition of Tinubu and demand a fresh election. He also filed a petition at the Presidential Election Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election.

The situation has created a lot of tension and uncertainty in the country, as many fear that it could lead to violence and instability. Some have called for dialogue and peace, while others have urged for protests and civil disobedience. The international community has also expressed concern over the credibility of the election and urged all parties to respect the rule of law and avoid violence.
The United Kingdom should bring pressure on the Nigeria government to respect the wishes of the people. UK spent £5million of taxpayer’s money to support Nigeria democracy. Therefore, the UK government has an obligation to see that the Nigeria government respect the wishes of the people of Nigeria as expressed in the 2023 presidential election.

The 2023 presidential election in Nigeria was marred by allegations of fraud, violence, and irregularities. The winner, Bola Tinubu of the All-Progressives Congress, was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission with 36.61% of the vote, but his main opponents, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, rejected the result and claimed they had evidence of rigging. The international community, including the UK, expressed concern over the credibility of the election and called for a peaceful resolution of disputes.

The UK has a long-standing relationship with Nigeria, which is one of its largest trading partners and recipients of development aid in Africa. The UK also has a significant Nigerian diaspora, estimated at over 200,000 people. The UK government has invested £5million in supporting Nigeria’s electoral process, including voter education, civil society monitoring, and conflict prevention. The UK government has also urged all parties to respect human rights and democratic principles.

The UK government should use its diplomatic and economic leverage to pressure the Nigeria government to uphold the rule of law and ensure that the will of the Nigerian people is respected. The UK government should also support efforts to investigate and prosecute any cases of electoral malpractice and violence. The UK government should not recognise or legitimise any government that emerges from a flawed or fraudulent election. The UK government should stand with the Nigerian people in their quest for a free, fair, and peaceful democracy.