By Aaron Ossai
In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the next political cycle, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has appealed to the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to sustain its technical support for governance and electoral systems.
Kalu made the call during a high-level meeting in London with FCDO officials led by Christina Scott, Director General (Network). The engagement took place on the sidelines of his recent presentation at Chatham House.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the National Assembly leadership, Kalu highlighted the historical, commercial, and cultural ties between Nigeria and the UK, stressing their shared devotion to constitutional democracy. He commended the FCDO’s collaborations with local partners such as the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), which have enhanced legislative transparency and civic participation.
“Strong legislatures are key to strong democracies,” Kalu said, emphasizing that international partnerships help bridge the gap between the Nigerian state and its citizens.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Kalu noted that sustained technical assistance and comparative learning are vital as Nigeria undertakes reforms in federal structure, local governance, security, and political representation for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Turning to electoral integrity, he cited milestones achieved after the 2023 elections, including the 2026 Electoral Act, which granted statutory recognition to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results. He added that recent legislative updates have streamlined pre-election litigations by defining judicial jurisdictions and timelines.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Kalu assured the UK delegation that the National Assembly is finalizing legal and institutional frameworks early to allow time for voter education, procurement, and training. The goal, he said, is a peaceful, technology-driven election that reflects the will of the people.
Importantly, Kalu reminded his British counterparts that Nigeria’s democratic stability has regional significance. “Nigeria’s democracy is not important only to Nigerians. As Africa’s largest democracy, a stable, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria will remain a pillar of stability for ECOWAS and an anchor for democratic resilience across Africa,” he added.
