Buhari reiterates sanctity of 2023 elections, says no room for manipulation
President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that the 2023 general elections would be free, fair and credible, as manipulations would not be allowed in any form.
The President stated this at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday when he hosted the West African Elders Forum Pre-Election Mediation Mission, led by former Sierra Leonean President, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma.
He called on West African leaders to always ensure that elections are free, fair and credible.
“Thank you for accepting to do this service for our sub-region,” the President told his guests, citing off-season elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States, as a pointer to the fact that the Federal Government would allow people to choose leaders they want.
While noting that right is guaranteed, he affirmed that “we are settling down, and making progress. People should vote for whomever they want, in whatever party. We shall not allow anyone to use money and thugs to intimidate the people. Nigerians know better now, they are wiser and know that it is better to dialogue than to carry weapons. Elections are even more difficult to rig now.”
Former President Koroma, who led a team made of Fatoumata Tambajang, former Vice President of The Gambia, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, former Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, and Ann Iyonu, Executive Director of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, said they had met with stakeholders across the parties, civil society, and Independent National Electoral Commission, among others, “and we commend you for making it clear both locally and internationally that the elections would be free and fair.”
