The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called on the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to sustain its technical support for democratic governance and electoral integrity in Nigeria.
Kalu appealed during a meeting with senior FCDO officials led by Director General Christina Scott in London on the sidelines of his engagement at Chatham House.
He said Nigeria and the UK share long-standing historical ties, commercial interests and a commitment to constitutional democracy.
The Deputy Speaker expressed appreciation to the UK Government and the FCDO for “their continued partnership with Nigeria, particularly in strengthening democratic institutions, legislative capacity, civic participation and conflict prevention”.
According to him, “the support provided through institutional partners such as the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) has contributed significantly to promoting electoral integrity, peacebuilding and accountable governance in the country”.
Kalu stressed that strong legislatures remain the foundation of strong democracies, noting that UK assistance in parliamentary capacity building, evidence-based lawmaking, transparency and citizen participation has strengthened public confidence in governance.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, he said, “Sustained technical support, comparative learning and inclusive public consultations are essential to achieving constitutional reforms that reflect the aspirations of Nigerians.”
He explained that “the ongoing constitutional review seeks to address critical national issues, including inclusion, federalism, devolution of powers, local governance, security architecture and greater representation of women, youths and persons with disabilities.”
On electoral reforms, Kalu said lessons from the 2023 general elections informed recent legislative changes aimed at improving electoral rules, expanding the use of technology, strengthening dispute resolution and increasing public confidence in elections.
He noted that the 2026 Electoral Act has reinforced the legal framework for elections by providing statutory recognition for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of election results while also clarifying timelines and jurisdiction for pre-election litigation.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the Deputy Speaker said “the National Assembly is committed to ensuring that the legal and institutional framework is concluded early to facilitate voter education, procurement, training and effective implementation.”
Kalu said the objective is to deliver peaceful, transparent, inclusive and technology-driven elections that truly reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
He added that Nigeria’s democratic stability remains critical to regional peace, security and prosperity across West Africa.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to constitutionalism, peaceful political competition and the rule of law, describing the country as a pillar of stability for ECOWAS and democratic resilience in Africa.
He also expressed optimism that ” the partnership between the National Assembly and the FCDO would continue to deepen for the benefit of Nigeria and the wider region.”
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