President Muhammadu Buhari says the 2023 general election would be free, fair and credible, noting that elections have become more difficult to rig in the country.
Buhari said manipulations would not be allowed in any form in 2023, stressing that he would not allow any politician to use money and thugs to intimidate Nigerians.
According to a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President said this while hosting West African Elders Forum Pre-Election Mediation Mission, led by former Sierra Leonean President, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.
“Thank you for accepting to do this service for our sub-region,” President Buhari 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 Nigerians to choose leaders of their choice in the 2023 general election.
“That right is guaranteed. We are settling down, and making progress. People should vote whoever they want, in whatever party.
“We shall not allow anyone to use money and thugs to intimidate the people.
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“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,” Buhari added.
In his remarks, former President Koroma said they had met with stakeholders across the parties, civil society, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) among others.
He, however, commended President Buhari for making it clear both locally and internationally that the elections would be free and fair.
Koroma also lauded the President for not listening to voices that might have tried to convince him to seek a third term in office, against the laws of the country, noting that “other countries look up to Nigeria for direction”.
“When we had issues in Sierra Leone and Liberia, it was Nigeria that came in to stabilise the system,” the former President said.
He, however, urged Buhari to look into other areas of concern as raised by the stakeholders, including security, and issues that could cast doubts on the clarity and credibility of the 2023 general election.
Other members of the team include the former Vice President of Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang; the former Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas; and the Executive Director of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ann Iyonu.
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