The Press and Public Affairs Officer at the high commission, Mr Joe Abuku, said this in a statement sent to The Punch.
The high commission said the British government would continue to support only the rule of law and democratic ethos.
The statement read, “We are aware of media reports of a situation at the National Assembly this morning. We are closely monitoring the situation and other political developments in Nigeria. The United Kingdom supports a process whereby the people of Nigeria can exercise their democratic right to vote and be voted for. We favour a free, fair, credible and peaceful process and the independence of institutions, which allow for that.”
In June, the British High Commissioner, Mr Paul Arkwright, had urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent National Electoral Commission and other agencies of government to remain neutral before, during and after the general elections.
Arkwright had said democracy could only thrive when agencies of government were independent and all parties were given a level playing field.
Meanwhile, the South-West socio-cultural group, Afenifere, as well as the civil society, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, condemned the siege to the National Assembly by the Department of State Services’ operatives.
They demanded that the sacked DG, Lawal Daura, must face prosecution.
