The government of the United Kingdom (UK) has asserted that contrary to wide speculations, it has no interest in who will become the next president of Nigeria during the forthcoming general elections.
This was made known on Wednesday by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Liang following a meeting, held at a closed door, with the National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Abuja.
Mrs. Liang disclosed that the UK would work with any candidates who emerge from the election.
The High Commissioner also expressed confidence in Nigeria’s democracy and the president’s commitment to organising free and secure elections.
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She said: ‘The UK doesn’t have a preferred candidate. We are committed to free and fair elections, but we will work with whoever the presidential candidate emerges from the election.
‘The UK and Nigeria have a very strong partnership, and we want Nigeria to succeed. And democracy is part of it’.
She further added that her country’s government welcomes Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and as well the president Buhari’s commitment to free and secure elections.
In another report, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had recently asserted that the 2023 general elections should be a turning point for Nigeria, warning that voting for candidates based on emotions will be destructive.
‘If Nigeria is ready to get it right, the 2023 elections should be a turning point. We should not go for emotion that will destroy us,’ Obasanjo said, according to a statement on Sunday by his spokesman, Kehinde Akinyemi.
The former President spoke at the weekend during a visit by the leadership of the apex socio-cultural group in Tiv land of Benue State, Mzough U Tiv to his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Penthouse residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Obasanjo said he is in support for the change of the leadership of the country from the North to the South, while the Middle-Belt region should continue to advocate for a rotational presidency for the country.