Elections: Nigerian Leader Urges Candidates To Respect Choice of Voters

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged candidates contesting the forthcoming elections at all levels to respect the choice of voters and accept the result of the elections as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The President, who witnessed the signing of the Second Peace Accord for the 2023 presidential elections at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, reminded the political class and their supporters that the INEC is the agency empowered by law to announce the results.

‘There should be no riots or acts of violence after the announcement of the election results. All grievances, personal or institutional, should be channeled to the relevant courts,’ said the Nigerian President.

He acknowledged that deep concerns have been raised about the conduct of the 2023 general elections and the outcomes they may throw up.

He, however, assured Nigerians that his administration will continue to do the utmost to deliver a free and fair election.

‘We have demonstrated that with the off-cycle elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states. We allowed Nigerians to decide who should govern them. We are committed to that legacy in this administration,’ he stressed.

President Buhari, therefore, assured the INEC, security agencies and all relevant institutions saddled with the responsibility of conducting the elections of his administration’s continuous support.

He asked them to be firm and courageous, abiding by the laws and constitutional provisions in conducting the elections.

‘We must constantly improve our electoral process using technology and all the positive elements it brings to consolidate the integrity of the elections,’ he added.

President Buhari thanked the chairman and members of the National Peace Committee led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) for their commitment and sacrifices to support peaceful elections in Nigeria.

He recalled that in September 2022, the chairman had respectfully asked him to deliver a goodwill message in support of issue-based and peaceful campaigns and political rallies devoid of insults and personal attacks.

‘I commend the committee’s commitment and loyalty, not only to the electoral process but to peace generally in Nigeria,’ President Buhari said, adding that the ‘committee has made a name for itself, at home and abroad.’

He called on all other agencies and the International Development Partners to give them all the support in facilitating peaceful elections in the country.

General Abubakar (Rtd) expressed concern about the lack of compliance to the National Peace Accord signed in September 2022 by major political parties.

’44 per cent of the violations were carried out by the spokespersons of the political parties; 26 per cent by party members; 19 per cent by the presidential candidates themselves; 11 per cent by the hardcore supporters and 4 per cent by the chairmen of the parties,’ he said.

The Chairman of the Peace Committee stated that since the start of official campaigning on September 28, 2022, there have been 60 attacks recorded on political rallies, resulting in nine fatalities, with the highest numbers in the south-west and south-east and the lowest in the north-east and north-central, according to data collated by the National Election Violence Tracker.

He, therefore, called on all political actors, key stakeholders and Nigerians to support a peaceful transition, promote the ideals of peace and a violent free post-election period.

‘I urge all politicians who will sign the accord to fully commit themselves to the letter and spirit of the Accord,’ said General Abubakar (Rtd).

 

The INEC chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu assured the nation that the presidential election will hold on Saturday, February 25.

”Therefore, Nigerians should feel confident that their votes will count,’ said the INEC chairman.