Why 2023 Elections May Not Hold In Nigeria – UK Official

The general elections in Nigeria scheduled for 2023 may not take place as expected, according to a UK government official.

Chris Beecroft, Director of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in the UK Embassy, stated that the forthcoming elections may not hold if the current state of insecurity in the country is not addressed.

He went on to say that other things that could impede the elections in 2023 include an ongoing insurgency in the North East, conflicts between farmers and herders in the North Central, militancy in the South-South, violence, and killings in the South East, and banditry in the North West.

Beecroft, however, stated that all of the security agencies need to be strengthened in order to combat the rising instability, and he added that all of the stakeholders need to work together.

The UK official mentioned that reconciliation, mediation, arbitration, and access to justice are some of the other potential solutions to the problem with Nigeria’s security.

“We are at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s journey, and now is an important moment for new thinking and action to build a more peaceful future for all Nigerians.

“The Foreign, Common-wealth and Development Office values our relationship with the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, and has supported the NGF through our programs, including SPARC, PERL and most recently the Technical Assistance provided in framing the Peace and Inclusive Security initiative, PISI.

“Nigeria faces significant peace and security challenges. There is an active insurgency in the North East; farmer-herder conflicts are extending across the country; resource conflicts in the Delta; tension in the South-East; and banditry in the North West.”

In continuation of his speech, he stated that the increase in conflict poses a threat to the democracy of Nigeria in the run-up to the 2023 general elections.

He said: “Conflict destroys lives, destroys livelihoods, destroys hope and ambition for the future. Conflict represents an existential threat to Nigeria’s unity and its development.

‘’The police and army are in urgent need of reform-but the solution to Nigeria’s instability does not lie in simply strengthening the police and army-but rather in building an effective social contract, building federal, state, local and community level infrastructure to manage conflict; and in giving young people jobs and opportunities so they have a stake in a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.

‘’Injustice and impunity, weak Justice institutions, the proliferation of small arms and weapons, the weaponization of social media, are all drivers of conflict and instability. But with the right commitment, dedication, and support, there are solutions.“