President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday assured Nigerians of his commitment to free, fair and credible elections come 2023.
The President who addressed a Virtual Summit of Democracy organised by President Joe Biden of the United States, said his administration will peacefully hand over power in 2023.
Buhari said a peaceful transition of power in 2023 is necessary for Nigeria to further strengthen and deepen democracy in the country.
According to him, Africa has been witnessing a worrisome trend of leaders changing the constitution to remain in power. He noted that Nigeria will continue to show the rest of the African countries and the world at large that democracy is the right step in right direction.
The President’s speech was also contained in a statement made available by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
His words, “As we count down 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, West Africa and the African continent at large. But regrettably, our democratic gains of the past decades are under threats of 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.
“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.
“As you are aware, democracy has remained the most popular and universally recognised way of governance thus far. It is one governance system that guarantees freedom of speech, rule of law, respect for human rights and inclusiveness in governance. It also promotes social justice, economic and social development and national and global peace.
“However, in spite of 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.’’
