President Buhari promises credible poll as Nigeria turns 58
In this file photo taken on August 31, 2018 Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari speaks during a joint press conference with the German chancellor at the presidency in Abuja. Buhari has made his final independence day address to the nation before elections next year. PHOTO | PIUS UTOMI EKPEI | AFP
What you need to know:
- Mr Buhari said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will be "exactly independent" and properly staffed and resourced.
- He also pledged that his administration will continue addressing “the challenges of our times’’, including conflicts, terrorism, trans-border crime and climate change.
- The president added that Nigeria will remain a responsible and respected member of the international community.
ABUJA,
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday has expressed commitment to a credible general election in Nigeria next year.
Addressing the nation in a live broadcast from Abuja, to mark Nigeria's 58th independence anniversary, he said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will be "exactly independent" and properly staffed and resourced.
TENSIONS
“I have committed myself many times to ensure that elections are fully participatory, free and fair," President Buhari said on Monday.
Mr Buhari frowned upon the use of social media to provoke passions, describing it as an abuse of new technologies.
“As with other countries, we learn how to manage those tendencies that, instead, look to abuse new technologies to provoke passions and stir tensions," he said.
“Never before have we faced such a challenge. We must all rise to the responsibility of shutting out those disruptive and corrosive forces that hide in today’s world of social media. We need critical minds and independent thinking, to question and question until we are satisfied we have the facts."
OTHER CHALLENGES
President Buhari also pledged that his administration will continue addressing “the challenges of our times’’, including conflicts, terrorism, trans-border crime and climate change.
On Nigerian youths, the president noted that they were at the vanguard of the struggle for independence and that they fought to keep the country united.
He added that the youth kept alive the struggle for democracy and human rights at times when they were at a risk, especially following the June 12, 1993 election and the historic 2015 poll.
Mr Buhari said Nigeria will remain a responsible and respected member of the international community.
He maintained that the country will also continue to play “active positive roles within the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), the African Union, the United Nations and all other regional and international organisations and institutions of which we are members’’.
The president vowed that the perpetrators of murder and general mayhem, in the name of defending or protecting herders or farmers, will face the full wrath of the law.
“We will sustain and continue to support commendable efforts by all, including civil society organisations, local and state governments and traditional and religious leaders, in finding durable solutions to this problem," he said.
“This being a transhumance issue, we are working with countries in our region that are also facing similar difficulties to complement our common efforts."
