Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari vowed yesterday that the presidential elections scheduled for 2023 will be “free”, “safe” and “transparent” in a speech he delivered on the anniversary of the rebuilding of Africa’s largest country in terms of democracy. .
“I know that many are concerned about the growing insecurity caused by terrorist activities in some parts of the country,” Buhari said in a speech broadcast on local television. He continued, “The government is working hard to ensure the security of the 2023 general election.”
“I also promise you a free, fair and transparent electoral process,” he added, also promising the citizens of Nigeria that their right to “choose their own government will be protected and protected.”
As the presidential election campaign in Nigeria officially kicked off with the major parties choosing their candidates, the country’s president called for unity.
Buhari stressed “the need to take a reasonable stand during the campaign and elections”, calling for an end to hardline stance.
Since the start of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009 in northeastern Nigeria, the conflict has killed some 36,000 people and displaced 3 million people, according to the United Nations, and the conflict has spread to Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economic power, is still in the process of recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has driven up fuel and food prices on the continent. and peace.
Former Lagos Governor Paula Tinubu won the primaries and snatched a ticket from the ruling party for the 2023 presidential election, and he will face another veteran Nigerian politician, Atik Abubakar, who nominated the opposition People’s Democratic Party.
Since 1999 and the country’s return to civilian rule, Nigeria has held six general elections, often marred by accusations of fraud, logistical difficulties, violence and contested results.
