The 2023 Presidential candidates and entire citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have been asked by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.d), to accept the outcome of the next presidential election and refrain from any type of rioting when it is revealed.
In a statement to Nigerians, Buhari urged the candidates who might be disappointed with the results to follow the correct procedures to have them addressed.
In addition to pledging his administration’s support for a genuine election, he also urged all parties involved to carry out their duties in accordance with the law and the provisions of the constitution.
He noted: “Since my assumption of office, we have worked so hard to ensure that we pass on a legacy of free, fair, credible, safe, and peaceful elections. We will continue to act with neutrality and allow the rule of law to take precedence over political expediency.
“We have demonstrated that with the off-cycle elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States. We allowed Nigerians to decide who should govern them. We are committed to this legacy in this administration.
‘I am asking @inecnigeria, the security agencies and all other relevant institutions to be firm and courageous, and to abide by the laws and constitutional provisions in conducting the elections. You are assured of this administration’s full and continuous support.
“We must constantly improve our electoral process using technology and all the positive elements it brings, to consolidate the integrity of our elections.
“I urge the candidates contesting these elections at all levels to respect the choice of voters and accept the result of the elections as announced by @inecnigeria, the agency empowered by law to do so.
“Any aggrieved candidate should resort to the established judicial processes, and we must have the confidence to trust our legal systems.
“Let me remind all Nigerians, not for the first time, that, this is the only country we have, and we must do everything to keep it safe, united and peaceful.
“There should be no riots or acts of violence after the announcement of the election results. All grievances, personal or institutional, should be channeled to the relevant Courts.
“Saturday February 25, 2023 will make it exactly one year since I assented to the Electoral Act 2022, one of the most important legacies of our Administration, and a significant contribution to our vision of improving the quality of Nigeria’s electoral process.”
