The Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, some state governors and ministers on Nigeria’s delegation to the United Nations 77th General Assembly in New York, U.S. have applauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech, promising to leave a legacy of free-and-fair elections in 2023.
They described President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to free and fair elections at the global stage as a demonstration of his abhorrence to tenure elongation.
The President in his address before world leaders at the 77th session on Wednesday, said: “I have set the goal that one of the enduring legacies I will like to leave is to entrench a process of free, fair and transparent credible elections through which Nigerians elect their choice.”
Buhari further reiterated his commitment to constitutional limit, adding that Nigeria has stood for democracy and the rule of law as a country.
According to Gambari, Buhari’s speech on the global stage would impact on the quality of elections next year.
He said: “Well, I think it’s clear because the President has been saying the voice and vote of Nigerians must be respected.
“He said let Nigerians choose among the candidates for elections, so that they will also take responsibility for the consequences. I think that’s the point that they should note.
“Therefore, the electorate have unique opportunity under this President to exercise their vote in a wise manner because there are consequences.”
Also speaking, Plateau Gov. Simon Lalong said: “My take on that is knowing Mr. President, he is talking about free and fair election, not only free and fair election but working within the rules, and within the rules means that next year, he is going to leave office, there will be an election, and there will be a new leadership in Nigeria.
“As you can see from the text of the message, he said, he is not the type that will come and change the rule half way to ensure that he will continue in office.
” I have worked with him for a very long time and I know that what he said is really coming out from his heart that there will be free and fair election and there will also be new leadership. He will also leave after his eight years.”
On his part, the Governor of Kwara State, Mr AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said: “He spoke about the fact that now that he is leaving, he has entrenched democracy, and how this will be his last visit to address the global community.
“He is leaving the stage and he intends to conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria for posterity. Well, we all know the President, he is very straightforward in his dealings with others.
“In the last meeting with the governors of the All Progressive Congress (APC) when the APC had its presidential candidate, he told us clearly that it is going to be a fair elections and he expects INEC to do a good job. This means there will be no manipulation,” he said.
Also adding his voice, Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwolu, said: “He took very strong lines to end his speech which I believe that indeed he has earned his pay as Nigeria’s President at the General Assembly.
“For someone to have said that by this time next year, he is certain that there will be another President that will be representing Nigeria at the 78th General Assembly. This goes to show that he is packing already and wants to conduct a free and fair election come next year.”
For Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, the President has demonstrated his willingness to ensure a stable democracy in Nigeria.
“He said that he will ensure that credible election is conducted in Nigeria under his leadership. He also said that inshallah by next year, a new president will be elected and will be here to address the General Assembly.
“So this is an indication that the President is willing to ensure stable democracy in Nigeria.”
The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, said by the singular act Buhari has successfully show-cased Nigeria as a democratic nation.
“He showed off Nigeria as a democratic nation, committed to the democratic ideals, and also played up the elections we are having next year and gave the entire global community the confidence that our country will deliver on a solid and smooth transition. And I think that captures global attention.”
