President Buhari
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Flickr

President Muhammadu Buhari told the West African Elders Forum Pre-Election Mediation Mission that the 2023 general elections will be free from any form of bias, meeting all standards of credibility.

He also stated that any attempts to manipulate the outcome of the election will not be tolerated.

He reiterated the point while hosting a sub-regional elders forum led by former Sierra Leonean President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, at the State House in Abuja yesterday.

"Thank you for doing this service for our sub-region," President Buhari said to his guests. He cited off-season elections held in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun States as an example of the fact that the Federal Government would allow people to choose their leaders.

"That right is guaranteed, we are settling down, and making progress. People should vote whoever they want, in whatever party," said President Buhari.

"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 added.

Former President Koroma earlier said in his speech that he led a team that met with various stakeholders, including those from different parties, civil society, and the Independent National Electoral Commission. He went on to say that he commend them for making it clear both locally and internationally that the elections would be free and fair.

"When we had issues in Sierra Leone and Liberia, it was Nigeria that came in to stabilize the system," the former President said.

President Buhari's statement elicited responses from people all over the nation.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, urged Nigerians yesterday to hold President Muhammadu Buhari accountable for his promise of delivering peaceful and credible elections in 2023, reported This Day.

The Secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, expressed happiness over the fact that the meeting took place at a time when the nation is preparing for its general election. He foresees the election to be free, fair, and credible which will result in national rebirth.