Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in Nigeria on recent elections and potential steps to avoid outbreaks of violence.

Nigeria's recent elections marked a significant moment in the country's democratic progress. I [Andrew Mitchell] met the leading presidential candidates ahead of the voting to urge for peaceful and free elections and hope to continue this engagement with the incoming administration at and after the inauguration. UK Government officials have worked with a range of counterparts throughout the process, including to encourage the Nigerian electoral commission to address issues identified and by pressing parties to reach a peaceful resolution to their disputes through the courts. We look forward to working with the new administration to support a more prosperous and secure Nigeria.