President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said Nigeria must do everything possible to make its elections work.
The president spoke at the formal signing ceremony of the final peace accord ahead of the 2023 general elections which begins on Saturday February 25. NPO Reports that others at the event were former Heads of States Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by a member of the Peace Committee, Bishop Mathew Kukah. “We need to dwell on issues that are fundamental to Nigeria,”
Buhari told the gathering while saying that Nigerians must be allowed to choose those who govern them. He said his administration had demonstrated through the elections in Osun, Ekiti and other places that electoral sanity must not be sacrificed for political expediency.
He said in anticipation of the 2023 elections, the Chairman of the peace committee personally asked him to deliver a goodwill messages in support of issue-based and peaceful campaign that’s devoid of insults and personal attack.
“I readily agreed because this is my personal belief and condition that we need to dwell more on issues that are fundamental to Nigeria. Despite no financial support from the government, the Peace Committee has remained steadfast in its course to serve as independent agency to foster peace on electoral Process.”
He said that since his assumption of office, he had worked so hard to pass on a legacy of free, fair, credible, safe and peaceful elections.
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“We will continue with neutrality and allow the rule of law to take precedence of our political expediency. We’ve demonstrated this in our off cycle elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States. We allowed Nigerians to decide who should govern them. This administration is committed to this legacy,” Buhari told the gathering
He went further, “I want to assure INEC, the security agencies and all other institutions saddle with the responsibility of conducting election of this administration continuous supports. I urge you to be firm and courageous and to abide by the laws and the constitutional provisions in conducting the elections.
“We must constantly improve our electoral process using technology and other elements to consolidate the integrity of the elections.”
While urging candidates contesting in the elections at all levels to understand the choice and voice of voters and accept the results of elections as announce by INEC, the agency empowered by law to do so, Buhari said any aggrieved candidate should result to the established judicial processes and we must see the confidence to trust our legal systems. I once again urge us to abide by the accord you’ve signed today.
He said, “Let me remind all Nigerians that this is the only country we have and we must do everything to keep it safe, united and peaceful. There shouldn’t be violence after the announcement of election results. All grievances, personal or institutional should be directed to the relevant court.
“This government will give you all the neccessary support you need to make your work more impactful and successful. I call on other agencies to give the committee the all the supports it deserves in facilitating peaceful elections in Nigeria.”