The Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Gill Lever, has declared that the British government will not interfere in Nigeria's 2027 general elections and holds no preference for any political party. She made this known during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
Lever stressed that the United Kingdom's primary interest lies in supporting a process that is free, peaceful, and credible. She stated unequivocally, “Downing Street has no favourite political party and will not be seen interfering in local political matters. The British government are entirely neutral. We do not favour one party or another, and we would never be in the business of telling Nigerian people how to vote.”
The envoy further noted that peaceful elections are not only a democratic objective but also an economic imperative. During her three-day visit to Kwara State, she commended Governor Abdulrazaq for his commitment to gender parity, highlighting that his cabinet comprises over 50% women.
Lever's visit included an assessment of UK-supported projects, such as the Ilorin Innovation Hub and a digital community hub in Ifelodun. These initiatives are designed to provide tech skills and digital access to over 50,000 people, helping young Nigerians access global employment opportunities.
In response, Governor Abdulrazaq outlined his administration's progress since 2019, including reforms in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He announced plans to raise the state's minimum wage to ₦100,000 this year and noted that by 2027, Kwara expects to have five teaching hospitals to address healthcare manpower shortages. He also touched on agricultural advancements, including the establishment of a major Shea processing factory in Kaiama.
