Democracy Day: UK envoy urges inclusive, peaceful 2027 elections

Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, has called for the upcoming 2027 general elections to be credible, peaceful, and inclusive. Speaking at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room's Democracy Day Dialogue and Photo Exhibition in Abuja, Montgomery stressed that the integrity of these polls is paramount for maintaining public trust in Nigeria's democratic journey.

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June 12 remains such a powerful symbol of your struggle to shape your democratic future. It represents a milestone, but it’s also an enduring reminder that democracy is built through courage, resilience and persistence of individual people who choose to act and support the process.

Montgomery highlighted the significance of June 12 as a symbol of Nigeria's democratic struggle, noting that democracy is an ongoing process requiring continuous effort, citizen participation, and robust institution-building. He asserted that despite its imperfections, democracy remains the most effective system for citizens to influence decisions affecting their lives, particularly crucial for the stability and prosperity of a diverse nation like Nigeria.

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We strongly believe that democracy, despite all its flaws, is the best system for enabling people to shape the decisions that affect their lives. For such a huge, complicated and diverse country as Nigeria, democracy is incredibly important for your stability and your prosperity going forward.

The envoy underscored the vital role of civil society organizations in holding the electoral process accountable and fostering inclusivity. He urged for greater participation from women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups, echoing President Bola Tinubu's sentiment that democracy falters when citizens doubt the process. Montgomery believes that credible elections in 2027 are essential not only for Nigeria's domestic progress but also for its continued leadership role across Africa and beyond.

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The credibility of the next elections will be vital for public confidence in the democratic process and for Nigeria’s continued progress, and indeed for its leadership across Africa and beyond. Ensuring that they are credible, peaceful and inclusive will require the collective efforts of many, and civil society organisations will be absolutely central to this.