President Buhari has vowed to remain impartial throughout the general elections on February 25 and March 11 at all levels and has urged all candidates to respect voters’ choices and accept the results as published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The National Peace Committee (NPC) organized the second signing of the National Peace Accord on February 22 by political parties and presidential candidates for the general elections in 2023.
President Buhari said, “I implore the candidates contesting in these elections at all levels to respect the choice of voters and accept the result of the elections as announced by INEC, the agency empowered by law to do so. Any aggrieved candidate should resort to the established judicial processes, and we must have the confidence to trust our legal systems. I once again ask the candidates to abide by the spirit and letter of the Accord they have signed unto today.”
The President praised the NPC and pointed out that the Committee had persevered despite receiving no financial assistance from the government by working with relevant organizations to act as an independent body for alternative dispute resolution regarding the electoral process and as a moral compass.
He claimed to be aware of the grave worries expressed over the conduct of the general elections in 2023 and the possible results.
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“However, since my assumption into office, my government has worked so hard to ensure that we pass on a legacy of free, fair, credible, safe, and peaceful elections. We will continue to act with neutrality and allow the rule of law to take precedence over political expediency. 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 this legacy till the very last day of my administration.”
Assuring INEC, security agencies, and all other relevant institutions tasked with conducting the polls of his administration’s continuous support, President Buhari urged them to be tough and courageous while abiding by the law and constitutional obligations.
He further advised that after the election results were announced there should be no riots or acts of violence and that any grievances, whether institutional or personal, should be brought before the appropriate tribunals.