2023: Buhari promises free, fair elections, gives reasons
Barely eight months to the general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari assured Nigerians that his government will not interfere with the processes and conducts of the 2023 presidential polls.
Telescope.ng gathered that the president gave assurance also said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be given free hands to conducts fair and credible elections in 2023.
According to PM News, Buhari made this known while speaking on Wednesday June 30, in Lisbon, Portugal, reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensure that the INEC delivers peaceful, transparent, free, fair and credible elections next year.
The President said, ‘‘We also look forward to a smooth transition to the next government. As I have said before, our Administration will not compromise on doing the right things and the welfare of Nigerians, home and abroad.’’
Citing the last gubernatorial elections in Anambra and Ekiti State, the President noted that this administration has proven consistently its zero tolerance for interference in elections and insistence that Nigerians should be allowed to vote for the party and candidate of their choice.
Buhari also used the occasion to caution against the use of social media to insult and incite from a safe and anonymous distance, urging the Diaspora to always promote Nigeria’s unity.
‘‘The world is a global village and technology has shrunk the world even more. Although you reside beyond Nigeria’s boundaries you can engage easily with the country. In fact, we see the impact of that engagement clearly on social media.
‘‘This platform has empowered Nigerians in the diaspora and given you great influence. As we have seen, however, social media can be a force for good as well as a force for evil.
‘‘Many countries, including our own have had to take strong measures against some social media platforms to curb their excesses and prevent them from destabilizing our societies.
‘‘I, therefore, call upon you to use social media responsibly. We all want the best for our country and people, so let us strive to build, unite and prosper our nation and people and not to insult and incite from a safe and anonymous distance.’’
