The outgoing Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no excuse not to conduct a smooth general election in 2023, stating that his administration has provided all resources needed for the commission.
Penpushing reports that, Buhari made this known in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu stating that the President made this position known in Washington DC, United States of America(USA), at an interactive session entitled, “A conversation with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria’.”
The statement added that, Buhari who has about three months to complete his two term reiterated his avowed determination to ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent national elections, whose outcome would be largely accepted to the contestants.
“INEC is ready because I made sure they were given all the resources they asked because I don’t want any excuses that they were denied funds by the government. Since 2015, the conduct of our elections continues to steadily improve’, he said
”From the 2019 general elections, the by-elections and the off-season elections in Edo, Ekiti, Anambra and Osun States were conducted in largely improved contexts to the satisfaction of contestants and voters’, Buhari added.
‘That is what we hope for in 2023. Through the observatory roles of the international community, the credibility of the elections can be further enhanced to make the acceptability of the outcome to the contestants and political parties a non-issue’
Penpushing further reports that, Buhari on democracy in West Africa, said Nigeria would aggressively work together to improve the quality of governance in the West African sub-region, where the survival of democracy, is currently challenged.
The President noted that this could be done through targeted investments that can enhance dividends of democracy and creations of robust means of livelihood for the people as well as promote accountability and transparency by the political class.
”I call on all of you here present, to continue to partner with us and our electoral body, for the needed collaborative efforts which are critical to deepening and stabilising democracy in Nigeria and the rest of Africa’, he emphasised
‘The recent reversals witnessed in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea are most unfortunate indeed and ECOWAS continues to effectively remain engaged with these countries. This is in order to restore democracy to all the Member-States of ECOWAS as indeed the entire African Continent’, Buhari added
Penpushing also reports that, Buhari thanked Johnnie Carson, a former United States of America(USA) Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and his team for inviting him back to the Institute after the last visit in 2015.
The president recalled his outing in 2015, shortly after he assumed office, wherein he spoke extensively on the vision and the focus of his administration in the three critical areas of security, economy and fighting corruption.
‘‘I am therefore, exceptionally pleased today, that this stage which served as my opening act has once more presented itself as the curtains are almost being drawn, for the opportunity to share experiences and discuss the last seven and half years’, he stated.
‘When I met you in 2015, I was not unaware of the enormous domestic and international goodwill that I attracted although I am a converted democrat, and not your run of the mill politician and therefore, less inclined to engage in double-talks’, he said.
‘My advisers may not be happy with me in this regard. I am, however, measured in speaking but always certain that the truth I shall speak and this has huge consequences in a political space wherein this is an exception rather than the norm’’, Buhari added
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