The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called on the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to sustain its technical support for democratic governance and electoral integrity in Nigeria.
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu said in a release on Sunday that Kalu made the call during a recent meeting with top officials of FCDO in London.
He said the FCDO officials at the meeting were led by the Director General, Network, Christina Scott on the sidelines of Kalu’s engagement at the Chatham House.
According to Nwabughiogu, the deputy speaker said Nigeria and the UK share deep historical ties, people-to-people connections, commercial interests and a common commitment to constitutional democracy, accountable institutions and the rule of law.
“Nigeria and the United Kingdom share deep historical ties, people-to-people connections, commercial interests and, importantly, a common commitment to constitutional democracy, accountable institutions and the rule of law.
“I wish to convey, on behalf of the House of Representatives and the leadership of the National Assembly, our sincere gratitude to the UK Government and the FCDO for their continued partnership.
“We appreciate your continued support for democratic governance, electoral integrity, legislative strengthening, civic participation, conflict prevention and peacebuilding in Nigeria through your institutional partners like Policy and Advocacy Center (PLAC), Nwabughiogu quoted the deputy speaker as having said during the meeting.
Nwabughiogu said the deputy speaker pointed out the key role strong legislatures play to strenghten democracy and added that UK’s support for parliamentary capacity, evidence-based policymaking, transparency, electoral reform and citizen participation deepen the democratic compact between the Nigerian state and its people.
“‘He noted that sustained technical support, comparative learning and inclusive public consultation are critical to reforms on inclusion, federalism, devolution, local governance, security architecture, and representation of women, young people and persons with disabilities.
“‘The Deputy Speaker also highlighted progress on electoral reform, including lessons from the 2023 elections and provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act, which he said statutorily recognises BVAS and electronic transmission of results, while also clarifying jurisdiction and timelines for pre-election litigation.
“Our partnership has contributed meaningfully to strengthening the legislative environment for democratic governance in Nigeria.
‘”As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, I can attest to the importance of sustained technical support, comparative learning and inclusive public consultation in producing constitutional reforms
that reflect the aspirations of Nigerians.
“The constitutional review process remains central to addressing questions of inclusion, federalism, devolution, electoral integrity, local governance, security architecture and the representation of women, young people and persons with disabilities
“For Electoral Reform, recent reform engagements have focused on lessons from the 2023 general elections, including the need for clearer electoral rules, improved use of technology, stronger dispute-resolution mechanisms, greater inclusion and measures that deepen public confidence in the electoral process.
“‘The 2026 Electoral Act has further strengthened the legal framework for the use of technology in elections, including the statutory recognition of BVAS and electronic transmission of results
‘”Subsequent legislative action has also sought to reduce uncertainty in pre-election litigation by clarifying jurisdiction and timelines'”, he said.
The spokesman for the deputy speaker said Kalu looked ahead to the 2027 general elections, said the National Assembly was prioritising early settlement of the legal and institutional framework to enhance voter education, training and public confidence.
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