The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

Obi said Buhari and the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, should put their assurances on conducting credible elections in 2023 into action, adding that free and fair election in 2023 remains the only path for the growth of democracy in “our clime and for the political stability that is needed for development”.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by his campaign media office, Obi-Datti.

The statement partly read: “The Obi-Datti Media Office notes the assurances coming from the two most critical characters whose sincere guarantees and commitment will ensure free, fair, and credible elections in 2023.

“Free and fair election in 2023 remains the only path for the growth of democracy in our clime and for the political stability that is needed for development.

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“Obi-Datti Media Office in acknowledging this laudable and refreshing verbal commitment urges them to put their words into action by showing in their deeds and actions that they mean what they say by actively doing it. In order words, the Obidient Movement is saying loudly that the President and the INEC should put into practice what they are preaching as it’s the only way to take Nigeria out of the woods.

“In 2019 about 28.6m Nigerians voted in the presidential election out of 82.3m registered voters which is not good enough and part of the seeming voter apathy is due to lack of transparency that puts voters off.

“It’s also due to logistics challenges arising from personnel incompetence, corruption and abuse of privileges and power by some stakeholders that includes security operatives. In view of the fresh assurances from these key stakeholders, the Obi-Datti political family wishes to encourage and urge them to perform actions consistent with their claims and pronouncements.

“We need to remind the Electoral body also that it’s their basic responsibility to ensure that what is needed before and in an Election Day is to make adequate arrangements without excuses.

“It’s gratifying to hear the INEC Chairman say repeatedly that the Commission’s allegiance is to Nigeria. ‘Our loyalty is to Nigerians who want free, fair, credible and verifiable elections supported by technology, which guarantees transparent accreditation and upload of polling unit results for citizens to view in’.

“We, therefore, finally urge the President and the INEC boss to walk their talk as it’s the best thing to do for our democracy to endure.”

The Star