Despite Crisis Buhari Insists 2023 Elections Were Free, Fair

President Muhammadu Buhari has maintained that despite pockets of violences and hitches during the 2023 general elections, the exercise was free, fair and credible.

He said lessons have been learnt from the outcome of the exercise, and would be applied to make subsequent polls even better.

The president made this assertion in London on Friday, while addressing his colleagues at the Commonwealth Leaders Summit as part of the major events leading to the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Commonwealth.

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According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the theme of the event focused on the future of the Commonwealth as a body and the role of the Youth.

Buhari expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the 2023 polls, given the turn out of voters.

“These elections saw a remarkable turnout of voters and proof that Nigeria’s democracy is maturing. Despite some pockets of violence, we have demonstrated that a government can be elected peacefully and fairly,” Buhari stated.

“Lessons have been learnt and moving forward, we hope to perform even better. Based on this, I am delighted to note that we have taken another step towards deepening our democracy with peaceful, transparent and credible outcomes. Though we are aware that challenges still exist, we are committed to working towards a greater participation of all Nigerians in the democratic process, including those in the diaspora,” he added.

While thanking the Commonwealth for sending a team to witness the conduct of the elections, the Nigerian leader noted that the elections were generally free and fair, and that the mood of the Nation after the announcement of the winners so far shows that democracy in the country is maturing and can only get better.

Buhari acknowledged the key role played by Nigerian youths during the elections as well as in support of national development.

He attributed a greater part of this youth participation in the General Elections to the assent of ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill signed into law by his Administration in 2018.

He announced that Nigeria would also host the Commonwealth Youth and Students Summit for African Region, with the theme, ‘Making Change Happen’ in Abuja from May 9-11, this year.

He also used the opportunity to bid farewell to his colleagues, expressing joy at shared aspirations and values within the period.

“As I come before you today, I am also mindful that this would be my last official engagement with His Majesty The King and some of you as I leave office on 29 May 2023. I, therefore, feel both humble and grateful for this extraordinary and significantly important moment,” he stated, adding that “over the years, I have worked cordially with the leaders of Commonwealth to achieve the values and principles of the Commonwealth which are shared by its members – the aspirations of the Commonwealth family which include positioning it to be a strong and respected voice in the world and improving the lives of all its citizens are being vigorously pursued.”