President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, assured Nigerians and the United States of free and fair general elections in 2023 as well as a peaceful transfer of power.
Buhari also said necessary mechanisms would be strengthened to ensure another peaceful transfer of power to the winners of the polls.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari disclosed this during a Virtual Summit for Democracy organised by President Joe Biden of the United States.
He quoted Buhari as saying, “As we countdown 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,.’
President Buhari added that Nigeria continues to face security challenges which threaten the nation’s democracy.
He, therefore, urged “global partners to support our efforts in tackling insurgency and terrorism.
“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.”
Buhari commended President Biden, the US government and people for hosting the Summit.
He added, “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.”
President Buhari also stated that the Summit was being held at a time when democratic institutions worldwide were being confronted by various challenges.
“This event will help promote a positive agenda for democratic renewal by focusing on some of the major challenges faced by democracies today. It is hoped that through our collective action, we can safeguard democratic values and principles,’’ he said.
He noted that the devastating impact of Covid-19, which had made it impossible to convene the meeting face to face, had had serious consequences for economies, health and democratic processes all over the world.
“Nevertheless, we have witnessed the resilience of democratic institutions in many countries that have held free, fair and transparent democratic elections under very challenging conditions,’’ Buhari said.