President Muhammadu Buhari promised to ensure Nigerians elect credible leaders through fair, fair, and transparent elections in 2023, saying he was a victim of an unfair electoral process.

Buhari said the pursuit of an electoral system and processes that guarantee the election of leaders by citizens remains important as his administration is about to end.

He said this in his speech to commemorate Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary on Saturday.

President Buhari said: “Fellow Nigerians, no matter what gains we make, without a good governance system anchored on electing credible leaders on the basis of free, fair, credible and transparent elections, our efforts would not be enough.

“It is for this reason that I have resolved to bequeath a sustainable democratic culture which will remain lasting. The signing of the Electoral Act 2021 as amended with landmark provisions further assures us of a more transparent and inclusive Electoral Process.

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“Having witnessed at close quarters, the pains, anguish and disappointment of being a victim of an unfair electoral process, the pursuit of an electoral system and processes that guarantee election of leaders by citizens remains the guiding light as I prepare to wind down our administration.”

The President stated that the recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states have shown a high degree of credible voting, adding that the success recorded in the elections would be improved upon in the 2023 general election.

Buhari said: “You would all agree that the recent elections in the past two years in some states (notably Anambra, Ekiti and Osun) and a few federal constituencies have shown a high degree of credibility, transparency and freedom of choice with the people’s votes actually counting. This I promise would be improved upon as we move towards the 2023 general election.

“As we begin the transition process to another democratically elected government, I want to implore all aspirants to conduct issues-based campaigns devoid of hate speeches as well as other negative and divisive tendencies.”

He further called for more female and youth participation in politics, adding: “I am sure that our teeming and energetic youths now realise that violence generally mar elections and so should desist from being used by politicians for this purpose.

“Reforms in the public sector are already yielding results, especially in the delivery of services.  On this note, I urge the general public to demand for citizen-centred services from the relevant authorities.

“On the international front, we have continued to take advantage of our bilateral and multilateral platforms to explore cooperation with friendly countries and partners whenever these areas of cooperation are to the advantage of Nigeria.

“Fellow Nigerians, in the past few years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of challenges that would ordinarily have destroyed our Nation. However, the indefatigable spirit of the Nigerian people has ensured that we overcome our challenges.

“It is in this spirit that I call on all of us to individually and collectively bring to the fore in dealing with all our development issues,” President Buhari said.

The Star