Democracy Day: Buhari vows to deliver free, fair 2023 elections

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday vowed that his administration will deliver and free and fair general elections in 2023.

The president in a nationwide broadcast to mark the June 12 Democracy Day, said he was ready to protect Nigeria from all enemies within and outside the country.

He admitted that the nation has been going through tough security challenges and vowed to tackle them.

“I know many of us are concerned with the rise in insecurity due to terrorist activities in parts of the country. As a government, we are working hard to contain and address these challenges. And ensure that the 2023 general elections are safe and secure for all Nigerians.

“To achieve this however, we must all contribute. It is not the job of government alone. I ask all citizens to support and cooperate with our security agencies by reporting any suspicious characters and activities to law enforcement agencies. We can only have a safe country if we are able to prevent crime not after the crime has been committed.

“On this special day, I want us all to put all victims of terrorist activities in our thoughts and prayers. I am living daily with the grief and worry for all those victims and prisoners of terrorism and kidnapping. I and the security agencies are doing all we can to free those unfortunate countrymen and countrywomen safely,” he said.

Buhari said for those who had lost their lives, the government would continue to seek justice for their families against the perpetrators.

He added that for those currently in captivity, government would not stop until they were freed, and their kidnappers were brought to justice, stressing that “if we all unite, we will be victorious against these agents of terror and destruction.”

According to Buhari, “We have reformed some of our security structures. Some of the defence assets we procured three years ago have arrived and have been deployed.

“Our cyber security and surveillance systems are being upgraded to further enhance our ability to track and trace criminal elements. We are also recruiting and training new personnel across all our security and intelligence agencies to strengthen the country’s over-all security.

” I will conclude this Democracy Day speech, my last as President, by assuring you of my commitment to protect Nigeria and Nigerians from all enemies from within and outside.

“I am also promising you a free, fair and transparent electoral process. And I am pleading with all citizens to come together and work with Government to build a peaceful and prosperous nation,” he said.