The United Kingdom High Commission has held talks with leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party on Nigeria’s democratic environment and the role of the opposition in the political process.
The delegation, led by Senior Political Adviser Fortune Aldred, met the PDP leadership headed by Kabiru Turaki.
According to the party, discussions covered the condition of multiparty democracy, internal leadership disputes within the PDP, opposition participation and the broader outlook for forthcoming elections.
Turaki told the delegation that a viable opposition remained essential to a functioning democratic system and accused the governing All Progressives Congress of contributing to rising political tension.
He argued that state institutions must not be deployed in ways that weaken opposition parties or reduce political competition.
The PDP also raised issues surrounding its internal leadership crisis and political developments ahead of the next general election.
Responding, Aldred said the High Commission would transmit the issues discussed through its established diplomatic reporting channels.
He stressed that Nigeria remained a sovereign country and that its domestic politics were an internal matter, but said the mission had a responsibility to understand political developments and engage relevant stakeholders.
The meeting formed part of ongoing contacts between the Turaki-led PDP and members of the diplomatic community as political activities intensify ahead of future elections.
