President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday restated his commitment towards free, fair and credible, stressing that manipulations would not be allowed in any form.
The President, who spoke at State House, Abuja, while playing host to West African Elders Forum Pre-Election Mediation Mission, led by former Sierra Leonean President, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, said that elections are even more difficult to rig now.
He therefore vowed that the Federal Government shall not allow anyone to use money and thugs to intimidate the people.
Buhari said; “Thank you for accepting to do this service for our sub-region. The off-season elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States are pointer to the fact that the Federal Government would allow people to choose leaders they want.
“That right is guaranteed. We are settling down, and making progress. People should vote whoever they want, in whatever party. We shall not allow anyone to use money and thugs to intimidate the people.
“Nigerians know better now, they are wiser, and know that it is better to dialogue than to carry weapons. Elections are even more difficult to rig now,” he said.
Former President Koroma, who led a team made of Fatoumata Tambajang, former Vice President of The Gambia, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, former Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, and Ann Iyonu, Executive Director of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, commended President Buhari for making it clear both locally and internationally that the elections would be free and fair.
Koroma said his team met with stakeholders across the parties, civil society, and Independent National Electoral Commission, among others.
He particularly commended President Buhari for not listening to voices that may have tried to convince him to seek a third term in office, against the laws of the country, stressing that other countries look up to Nigeria for direction.
Koroma further said; “When we had issues in Sierra Leone and Liberia, it was Nigeria that came in to stabilize the system”.
He urged the Nigerian leader to look into other areas of concern as raised by the stakeholders, including security, and issues that may cast doubts on the clarity and credibility of the elections.
