Timi Frank, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy national publicity secretary, criticized Catriona Laing, the British high commissioner to Nigeria, for her support of the disputed presidential and national assembly elections on February 25.
Laing recently urged Nigerians to be proud of the general election in 2023 despite the apparent setbacks, according to a recent media report.
Laing was urged by Frank in a statement released on Thursday to apologize to Nigerians right away for ostensibly endorsing the election.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the entire appeal because it was made by someone who, incidentally, had no interest in their welfare.
Frank referred to the statement made by the British government’s representatives in Nigeria as an insult.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly quoted her as saying that Nigerians should be proud of an election in which their wishes were overruled. He pointed out that the people had been waiting for her to refute or distance herself from the media report.
Frank stated:.
“Despite setbacks, Nigerians should be “proud” of the recent Presidential and National Assembly elections, according to a divisive statement attributed to the departing UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing.
But as of right now, neither the UK High Commission in Nigeria’s website nor the media have published any response of this nature. You tell us to be proud while robbing Nigerians.
Because their mandate was stolen, the election’s results continue to infuriate and enrage Nigerians. What electoral achievements does she want Nigerians to be proud of?
According to Frank, Laing seems to have been ignorant of the fact that the majority of national and international election observers, including her U. S. even Chatham House (a UK organization) found serious irregularities in the elections and faulted INEC.
The UK mission in Nigeria acknowledged, he continued, that during the conduct of the elections, it had violated both its own rules and the Electoral Act 2022. She nonetheless implores Nigerians to take pride in such a sham.
Frank emphasized that it was extremely regrettable that while Britain would later accuse Nigerians of being corrupt, it appeared to support and permit proceeds of crime from Nigeria to be invested in the purchase of properties in their nation.
