President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians and the international
\ncommunity of free and fair elections in 2023 general elections, and
\npeaceful transfer of power.<\/p>\n
In his remark at a Virtual Summit for Democracy organized by President
\nJoe Biden of the United States, President Buhari said necessary
\nmechanisms will be strengthened to ensure that Nigeria witnesses another
\npeaceful transfer of power.<\/p>\n
“As we countdown to our next general elections in 2023, we remain
\ncommitted to putting in place and strengthening all necessary mechanisms
\nto ensure that Nigeria will not only record another peaceful transfer of
\npower to an elected democratic government, but will also ensure that the
\nelections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.<\/p>\n
“Your Excellencies, Nigeria will continue to actively support the
\ndemocratization processes in our region West Africa and the African
\ncontinent at large.\u00a0 But regrettably, our democratic gains of the past
\ndecades are under threats of unconstitutional takeover of power.<\/p>\n
“This unwholesome trend, sometimes in reaction to unilateral amendments
\nof constitutions by some leaders, must not be tolerated by the
\ninternational community. Nigeria fully supports the efforts by ECOWAS to
\naddress this growing challenge and appreciates the support of both the
\nAfrican Union and the United Nations,” he added.<\/p>\n
The President said Nigeria continues to face security challenges which
\npose a threat to democracy, calling “on global partners to support our
\nefforts in tackling insurgency and terrorism.”<\/p>\n
“I am proud to state that Nigeria has had over two decades of
\nuninterrupted democratic governance and has unequivocally remained
\ncommitted to upholding the core values and principles of democracy.<\/p>\n
“Since assuming office in 2015, we have been able to introduce
\nmechanisms to ensure free, fair and credible elections. We have
\nstrengthened our key anti-corruption agencies in collaboration with
\ninternational partners and have undertaken several anti-corruption
\nmeasures and initiatives.”<\/p>\n
President Buhari thanked President Joe Biden, government and people of
\nthe United States for hosting the Summit.<\/p>\n
“As you are aware, democracy has remained the most popular and
\nuniversally recognised way of governance thus far. It is one governance
\nsystem that guarantees freedom of speech, rule of law, respect for human
\nrights and inclusiveness in governance. It also promotes social justice,
\neconomic and social development and national and global peace.<\/p>\n
“However, in spite of these laudable qualities, more is required from us
\nas members of democratic societies, particularly in ensuring that
\ndemocratic institutions and processes are strengthened, particularly
\nduring this period of a global pandemic which has threatened social
\ncohesion in most democracies.<\/p>\n
“We, therefore, must remain resolute and enhance cooperation, so that
\ntogether, we build back better democratic institutions and sustainable
\ndemocratic values,” the President added.<\/p>\n
President Buhari noted that the Summit was taking place at a time when
\ndemocratic institutions around the world were facing several challenges.<\/p>\n
“This event will help promote a positive agenda for democratic renewal
\nby focusing on some of the major challenges faced by democracies today.
\nIt is hoped that through our collective action, we can safeguard
\ndemocratic values and principles,” he said.<\/p>\n
The President said the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,
\nwhich had made it impossible to convene the meeting face to face, had
\ntaken a heavy toll on economies, health and democratic processes around
\nthe world.<\/p>\n
“Nevertheless, we have witnessed the resilience of democratic
\ninstitutions in many countries that have held free, fair and transparent
\ndemocratic elections under very challenging conditions.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":81198,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-89804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other-news"],"yoast_head":"\n