I’ll hand over power peacefully in 2023 – Buhari assures

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has given assurance of free and fair elections in 2023 general elections, and peaceful transfer of power.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, revealed that he said this at a Virtual Summit for Democracy organized by President Joe Biden of the United States.

Buhari also assured the international community that Nigeria will continue to actively support the democratization processes in the region, West Africa, and the African continent at large.

He said;

“As we countdown to our next general elections in 2023, we remain committed to putting in place and strengthening all necessary mechanisms to ensure that Nigeria will not only record another peaceful transfer of power to an elected democratic government but will also ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

“Your Excellencies, Nigeria will continue to actively support the democratization processes in our region West Africa and the African continent at large. But regrettably, our democratic gains of the past decades are under threats of unconstitutional takeover of power.

“This unwholesome trend, sometimes in reaction to unilateral amendments of constitutions by some leaders, must not be tolerated by the international community. Nigeria fully supports the efforts by ECOWAS to address this growing challenge and appreciates the support of both the African Union and the United Nations.”

Admitting that Nigeria is facing security challenges that pose a threat to democracy, Buhari asked the country’s “global partners to support efforts in tackling insurgency and terrorism.’’

He added;

“I am proud to state that Nigeria has had over two decades of uninterrupted democratic governance and has unequivocally remained committed to upholding the core values and principles of democracy.

“Since assuming office in 2015, we have been able to introduce mechanisms to ensure free, fair and credible elections. We have strengthened our key anti-corruption agencies in collaboration with international partners and have undertaken several anti-corruption measures and initiatives.”

General elections will be held in Nigeria on 18 February 2023 to elect the President, Vice President, House of Representatives, and Senate. The winners of the election will be inaugurated on 29 May 2023, the former date of Democracy Day.