‘I’m impressed with Nigeria’s democ raticjourney’— Outgoing British envoy

Although there were setbacks in the Saturday, February 25, presidential and
National Assembly elections, Catriona Laing, the outgoing British High
Commissioner in Nigeria, said there were encouraging aspects to take away from
the polls.

She claims that there has been a noticeable change when she first arrived in
Nigeria in 2019.

Notwithstanding the legal disputes that followed the election, she observed
that it was exciting since it provided safeguards for future democratic
government in the nation.

Speaking
with journalists at the Senate wing of the National Assembly, after courtesy
visit on the President of the Senate,  Senator Ahmad Lawan, in Abuja
yesterday, the British envoy said  despite contestations of the process of
the election by some political actors, the election portended bright future for
the country.

She said:  ” I made very
good friends, I love Nigerian music a lot, the culture here is so rich. 
 Secondly, the politics in Nigeria is so fascinating.

“I was here till the last
election and I finished with this election and I’m impressed with Nigeria’s
democratic journey.

“Yes a bit of setbacks but
overall, I see this as positive and Nigeria should be proud, but with a
remarkable difference when I came in 2019.

“Nigeria is the biggest democracy
in Africa; the world watches your progress to democracy.

“Though there were some
disappointments in the last election but overall, every Nigerian should be
proud because since 1999, Nigeria has been on the right track as far as
participatory democracy is concerned.

“The election here is very
different and fascinating as you  are moving to three party system or may
be even four. I think Nigerians as well should realise that their votes count.”

Aside election, the British
envoy, who hailed Nigerians for being resilient at times of difficulties,
added:   “There had been some tough times. We had COVID-19,
insecurity has got lot more since I was here. Nigerian people are incredibly
resilient.

”I remain very optimistic
about Nigeria’s future. So it’s been very wonderful tour and very sad to be
going.”

Earlier in his remarks,
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who commended the British envoy on her
positive disposition to the country, however, tasked her to help in
strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Britain .

Lawan said:  ” Nigeria
and Britain have come a long way very cordial and diplomatic relations over the
years.  We believe a highly rated diplomat like you can help foster and
strengthen it.”