President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the ECOWAS that he will ensure Nigeria conducts free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President also pledged to leave a legacy of fair and credible polls in the region.
The President says he is more than ready to build a peaceful and stable West Africa.
“We are convinced that the sustenance of democracy and the rule of law should remain the norm in this promising region”.
“There will be multiple political activities in some ECOWAS member states, including Nigeria, where general elections are due to be held in February and March 2023.
Let me seize this opportunity to reiterate my commitment to free, fair, and transparent elections and smooth transitions. This is one legacy that I want my administration to bequeath, not only to Nigeria but to the region as a whole.”
President Buhari notes that West Africa is faced with threats to peace and security, political instability, and the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, which according to him have continued to pose as the greatest challenges rocking the sub region.
‘‘It is on record that the region has not rested on its oars as we have always striven to evolve effective regional mechanisms to address these challenges.
‘‘For example, at the height of the pandemic, Heads of State of ECOWAS appointed me as the ECOWAS champion on COVID-19.” The statement reads.
President Buhari adds that through the cooperation of the three Ministerial Committees comprising Member States’ Ministers of Health, Finance, and Transportation, the country developed an effective response by mitigating the effect of COVID-19 on our citizens, a situation that reduced the mortality rate of the pandemic in Africa.
RN
