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The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has urged Nigerian stakeholders to ensure that the 2027 general elections are credible, peaceful and inclusive, warning that the integrity of the polls will be key to sustaining public trust in democracy.
He made the call on Friday in Abuja at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Democracy Day Dialogue and Photo Exhibition, where civil society actors gathered to reflect on democratic progress and electoral reforms.
Montgomery said civil society organisations will play a critical role in safeguarding electoral credibility and strengthening democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 polls.
He noted that June 12 remains a powerful reminder of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, adding that democracy must be continuously built through citizen engagement, institutional strengthening and collective responsibility.
“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 said.
According to him, democracy is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing process that requires sustained participation from all sectors of society.
“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,” he stated.
He said the credibility of the next general elections would be vital not only for public confidence but also for Nigeria’s democratic standing and influence across Africa.
He stressed that ensuring peaceful and inclusive elections would require coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, with civil society playing a central role in accountability and oversight.
“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,”he said.
Montgomery also called for stronger inclusion of women, youths, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups in the electoral process, saying such participation would determine public trust in election outcomes.
“As the President said in his Democracy Day speech this morning, democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. We strongly believe that civil society organisations have key roles to play in holding the electoral process to account and making it more inclusive.
“The meaningful participation of women, younger people, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups is important. This inclusion will determine whether citizens trust or doubt electoral outcomes,” he added.
He pledged continued support from the United Kingdom in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting transparency and supporting credible electoral processes in Nigeria.
Speaking at the same event, Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and Convener of the Situation Room, Clement Nwankwo, raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s electoral environment ahead of 2027.
He warned against any regression in democratic gains, urging stakeholders to remain vigilant in protecting electoral integrity.
Nwankwo called on civil society organisations to actively monitor institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Assembly and the executive arm to ensure accountability.
He said sustained civic engagement was necessary to guarantee free and fair elections.
