The British Government has restated its interest in supporting a peaceful and transparent election in Nigeria.
Political Counsellor of the British High Commission, Abuja Mr. Jonathan Bacon, who committed on Monday 12 December 2022 during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Rivers State chapter, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, at the Party Secretariat in Port Harcourt, said to demonstrate its seriousness in that direction, it has placed a visa ban on any politician who engages in political violence during the forthcoming elections.
While explaining that his home government was interested in the political stability of Nigeria due to its age-long ties with Nigeria, Mr. Bacon said they were in the state to assess the level of preparations by Political parties for the 2023 general elections, stressing that Rivers State was very strategic to the economy of Nigeria which is why Britain was interested in what happens in the state.
The British High Commissioner appealed to Nigerians to conduct themselves peacefully before, during, and after the elections.
In his response Chairman of PDP Rivers State Chapter, Ambassador Desmond Akawor who solicited the assistance of the British High Commission towards free, fair, and credible elections, thanked Britain for its interest in Nigeria’s development, recalling the relationship between the two countries.
He said the support of the international community, especially Britain was critical for the success of the polls, noting that the PDP was desirous of participating in a transparent electoral process.
Ambassador Akawor who maintained that the PDP has no reason to block other political parties from carrying out their electioneering campaigns, however, noted that such political parties must conduct their campaigns in line with relevant statutory instruments in the state, stressing that Orders 21 and 22 were geared towards ensuring sanity on school premises and residential buildings.
The state PDP Chairman gave the assurance that the party would carry on peaceful election campaigns, adding that it is on that premise that the party recently dedicated its campaign activities to God.
Others on the delegation of Mr. Jonathan Bacon were: David Ukagwu, Head of Regional Offices, FCDO, Abuja; Dr. Olachi Chuks-Runnie, Regional Coordinator, Southern Nigeria, FCDO and Ms. Innie Obong, Office Manager, British Deputy High Commission, Port Harcourt.
The PDP Secretary, Dr. Benibo George; the State Woman leader, Mrs. Mariam Ogbonna; the Assistant Secretary 1, Bellow Waite; the Assistant Financial Secretary, Hon. Joseph Uranta; and the State Publicity Secretary, Sydney Tambari Gbara were among the State Party Executive present during the meeting.
