Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the Nigerian pro-democracy group, the Mandate Protection Vanguard that the UK Prime Minister’s congratulatory message to the Nigerian President on his electoral victory failed to address (1) voter suppression in opposition strongholds, (2) abductions and intimidation of electoral officials, (3) the destruction of ballot boxes, (4) assaults on voters by members of the security services and others, (5) organised mass thumb-printing of ballot papers, including by minors, and (6) the deaths of at least 39 people in election related violence.

The Government's statement of 27 February recognises that Nigerians have expressed concerns about the conduct of the Nigerian elections, in particular in relation to logistics, results collation and reports of intimidation of election officials. We are encouraging the Nigerian authorities to examine all allegations of wrongdoing carefully and take action against individuals found responsible. Our statement also recognises the importance of people being able to vote safely and expresses condolences to the families and friends of those killed in election related violence. We will continue to support Nigeria and its civil society in drawing lessons from these elections and strengthening its democracy.