President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians and the international
community of free and fair elections in 2023 general elections, and
peaceful transfer of power.
In his remark at a Virtual Summit for Democracy organized by President
Joe Biden of the United States, President Buhari said necessary
mechanisms will be strengthened to ensure that Nigeria witnesses another
peaceful transfer of power.
“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,” he added.
The President said Nigeria continues to face security challenges which
pose a threat to democracy, calling “on 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.”
President Buhari thanked President Joe Biden, government and people of
the United States for hosting the Summit.
“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,” the President added.
President Buhari noted that the Summit was taking place at a time when
democratic institutions around the world were facing several 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.
The President said the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,
which had made it impossible to convene the meeting face to face, had
taken a heavy toll on economies, health and democratic processes around
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.”