President Muhammadu Buhari says elections will now be difficult to rig in the country, starting from the 2023 general elections.
Buhari stated this at State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, while playing host to West African Elders Forum Pre-Election Mediation Mission, led by former Sierra Leonean President, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma.
According to him, the 2023 general elections would be free, fair and credible, as manipulations would not be allowed in any form.
“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 pointer to the fact that the Federal Government would allow people to choose leaders they want.
“That right is guaranteed,” President Buhari said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina.
“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. 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.”
President Koroma, in his remarks, 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.”
He, therefore, urged Buhari to look into other areas of concern as raised by the stakeholders, including security, and “issues that may cast doubts on the clarity and credibility of the elections.”
