Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the outcome of the 2023 general elections reflects the desire of the people.
Abubakar made the appeal in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in Abuja on Thursday on the occasion marking the International Day for Democracy.
Abubakar urged INEC and other agencies of government playing roles in the electoral process to ensure that the outcome of the election was a true reflection of the desires of the people.
The PDP presidential flagbearer said that the celebration of democracy was, indeed, a celebration of the people’s power.
He said that although there had been significant improvements in the processes that elections were conducted in Nigeria, “the 2023 episode was an opportunity for INEC to show that the commission had grown beyond partisanship,” he noted.
“In 2023, Nigerians will be voting for the leadership that they truly believe will lead this country out of the current dire situation.
“It is important to use the opportunity of the celebration, this day, to tell not just the INEC, but other agencies and non-governmental organisations involved in the conduct of election, that the next election should be the freest and fairest ever in the history of Nigeria.”
Abubakar congratulated Nigerians on being part of the global community of people practising democracy.
The former vice president reminded the electorate in Nigeria to remember that democracy was an enabler of good governance.
“Good governance is the ultimate end game.
“And the democracy that we practise is the only veritable vehicle that can drive us safely to the establishment of a government that will give us good governance and ensure that the rule of law is entrenched in our body politics,” Atiku said.
He pledged that if elected, under his watch, press freedom and a fundamental foundation of democracy, would be guaranteed.
“A free, robust and unencumbered press is key to nurturing democracy and development,” he added.