President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians and the International Community that they will experience free and fair elections as well as a peaceful transfer of power in 2023.
President Buhari gave the assurance yesterday at a virtual summit organized by the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, noting that all the necessary mechanisms would be strengthened to ensure that Nigeria witnesses another peaceful transfer of power.
He stated that his government have been able to introduce mechanisms to ensure free, fair and credible elections since assuming office in 2015.
According to him, democracy has remained the most popular and universally recognized way of governance thus far. It is a system that guarantees freedom of speech, rule of law, and promote social justice, economic and social development and national and global peace. However, more is required from us in ensuring that democratic institutions and processes are strengthened, especially during this period of a global pandemic that has threatened social cohesion in most democracies.
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In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari thanked President Biden, the government and people of the United States of America for hosting the summit, noting that the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had taken a heavy toll on economies, health and democratic processes around the world and also made it impossible to convene the meeting face to face.
He noted that the summit was taking place at a time when democratic institutions around the world were facing several challenges, especially security challenges, which is posing a threat to democracy and urged global partners to support efforts in tackling insurgency and terrorism.
He expressed optimism that through their collective efforts, democratic values and principles can be safeguarded and it will also help to promote a positive agenda for democratic renewal, however, they must remain resolute and enhance cooperation, so that together, they can build back better democratic institutions and sustainable democratic values.
