Buhari Pledges Credible Polls
Ahead of the 2023 general election, President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his commitment to conducting a free, fair, and transparent poll and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power.
The President stated this in his remark at a Virtual Summit for Democracy organized by President Joe Biden of the United States at the weekend. He noted that necessary mechanisms would be implemented to ensure that Nigeria witnesses another peaceful transfer of power.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, President Buhari said, “As we countdown to our next general elections in 2023, we remain committed to putting in place and strengthening all necessary mechanisms to ensure that Nigeria will not only record another peaceful transfer of power to an elected democratic government but will also ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
“Your Excellencies, Nigeria will continue to actively support the democratization processes in our region, United States, and the African continent at large. But regrettably, our democratic gains of the past decades are under threats of an unconstitutional takeover of power.
“This unwholesome trend, sometimes in reaction to unilateral amendments of constitutions by some leaders, must not be tolerated by the international community. Nigeria fully supports the efforts by ECOWAS to address this growing challenge and appreciates the support of both the African Union and the United Nations,” he said.
Buhari added that Nigeria faces security challenges that have posed a threat to democracy. He called on global partners to “support our efforts in tackling insurgency and terrorism.”
He further said, “I am proud to state that Nigeria has had over two decades of uninterrupted democratic governance and has unequivocally remained committed to upholding the core values and principles of democracy. Since assuming office in 2015, we have been able to introduce mechanisms to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.
We have strengthened our key anti-corruption agencies in collaboration with international partners and have undertaken several anti-corruption measures and initiatives.”
According to him, “as you are aware, democracy has remained the most popular and universally recognized way of governance thus far. One governance system guarantees freedom of speech, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and inclusiveness in government. It also promotes social justice, economic and social development, and national and global peace.
“However, despite these laudable qualities, more is required from us as members of democratic societies, particularly in ensuring that democratic institutions and processes are strengthened, particularly during this period of a global pandemic which has threatened social cohesion in most democracies.
“We, therefore, must remain resolute and enhance cooperation, so that together, we build back better democratic institutions and sustainable democratic values.”
