President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja advised those planning to rig the 2023 general elections to perish the thought.
He vowed to use every legitimate means to protect the votes of Nigerians.
The president gave the advice at a dinner he had with members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria to break Thursday’s Ramadan fasting.
“Those planning to rig the 2023 elections should think twice because I intend to resolutely protect and defend the sacred will of the Nigerian people to be expressed through the ballot box,’’ he said.
He also cautioned against foreign interference at the elections.
“As you are all aware, the tenure of this administration ends on May 29, 2023. Typical of election years all over the world, the tempo of political activities is high.
“That is the nature of democracy. I am committed to bequeathing a stronger culture of credible elections to Nigeria than what I met.
“As Nigeria goes through this trajectory, I urge our friends in the global community, represented by you members of the diplomatic corps to adopt a positive role.
“A role that reinforces the doctrine of respect for our internal affairs and respect for facts, devoid of pre-conceived notions and bias,’’ he stressed.
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On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Buhari called for greater consideration for humanitarian conditions in the affected areas, warning that “’the conflict will get worse, if an immediate resolution is not found.
“The war has lasted too long; costs so much and hurt too many people well beyond the immediate theatres.
“The rest of the world is progressively facing the impact of the conflict and this will certainly get worse if an immediate resolution is not found, not least in the area of food security.’’ (NAN)
