As Nigerians continue to discuss the controversial outcome of the presidential elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a fortnight ago, the British High Commission has come out to reveal that it does have evidence that some politicians were involved in electoral malfeasance during the just concluded polls.
Speaking during an interview on Nigeria Info FM’s ‘Morning Crossfire’ several hours ago, Britain’s Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones explained that because the United Kingdom is very serious with the warning it issued to Nigerian politicians that they would have their visas banned if caught violating electoral laws, it has begun compiling a list of those who did indeed break these laws during the 25th presidential elections.
Going further, Jones revealed that apart from the evidence of electoral malpractice the UK compiled during the presidential elections, the Commission is also watching to see what will happen during the gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections scheduled for March 18, 2023.
He said; “For voters who are feeling threatened and at risk, I understand that, I really do. And I hope that the Nigerian security forces will be more aware this time and will be more alive to those risks. Certainly, one of the advantages of having an election in 2023 versus that of 1999, is that there are smartphones everywhere and people are able to document and record things and events.
And I have to say that we the UK said before the 25th of February that politicians who did the wrong things such as rigging, unleashing violence, or suppressing voters, we ourselves would look into their visa profiles. We have a list of violators and we are working through that list with the evidence we have. We are also working really hard and looking at the 18th of March and frankly, we are telling politicians to do the right thing.”
