A senior Labour MP has urged Sir Keir Starmer to raise human rights concerns with Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu during his state visit to the UK. Fabian Hamilton, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Human Rights, wrote to the prime minister warning of a 'moral responsibility' to address democratic backsliding in Nigeria.
The state visit, the first by a Nigerian president in 37 years, began on Wednesday with a welcome from King Charles at Windsor Castle. President Tinubu was also due to meet Starmer in Downing Street. The visit comes amid continued upheaval in the oil-rich African nation of 230 million people.
In his letter, Hamilton highlighted concerns over judicial independence, space for political opposition and civil society, and threats to freedom of religion. The APPG also raised issues with Nigeria's Electoral Act, including provisions that could allow manual vote transmission if electronic systems fail, potentially affecting transparency.
Looking ahead to Nigeria's 2027 presidential election, Hamilton stressed the importance of free, fair and credible elections, with voters, parties, civil society and media able to participate without intimidation. 'The coming year will be a defining test of the country's democratic resilience,' he wrote.
At the state banquet, King Charles praised the contributions of Nigerians in British life, from business and academia to sport and the arts. President Tinubu said the occasion underlined that Nigeria had 'arrived' and was 'transforming at a remarkable pace'.
