President Muhammadu Buhari says Federal Government will ensure desperate politicians do not have the room to rig during the 2023 general elections.
He vowed to use every legitimate means to protect and ensure the votes of the electorate count during next year’s elections.
Buhari sounded this note of warning to politicians while speaking during an Iftar dinner with the Ambassadors and other representatives of foreign missions in Nigeria.
He stressed that anyone planning to rig next year’s elections should have a rethink as measures would be put in place to frustrate such plans.
‘‘Those planning to rig the forthcoming elections should think twice because I intend to resolutely protect and defend the sacred will of the Nigerian people, to be expressed through the ballot box,’’ the President said.
He also warned that the government would not allow any foreign interference in the 2023 elections.
Buhari said, ‘‘As you are all aware, the tenure of this Administration ends on 29th May, 2023. Typical of election years all over the world, the tempo of political activities is often high.
‘‘That is the nature of democracy. I am committed to bequeathing a stronger culture of credible elections to Nigeria than I met.
‘‘As Nigeria goes through this trajectory, I urge our friends in the global community, represented by you the Diplomatic Corps, to adopt a positive role that reinforces the doctrine of respect for our internal affairs and respect for facts and devoid of pre-conceived notions and bias.”
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, President Buhari urged greater consideration for humanitarian conditions in the affected areas.
He warned that if urgent solution was not found in resolving the conflict, the situation would get worse.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Ambassador Ibrahima Salaheddine, assured the President that the international community would continue to support Nigeria before, during and after the 2023 polls.
