Respect Voters’ Choice, Buhari Tells Tinubu

Ahead of Saturday’s presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari has advised the candidates contesting in the exercise to respect the choice of voters and accept the outcome of the poll.

The Nigerian leader said any aggrieved candidate not satisfied with the results of the election should resort to the established judicial process and not to violence.

Buhari said this on Wednesday at the signing of the peace accord by the presidential candidates and chairmen of the 18 political parties participating in the forthcoming election.

The President assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies, and other relevant institutions of continuous support ahead of the election.

He reiterated his commitment to leaving a legacy of free, fair, credible, safe, and peaceful elections and promised to continue to act with neutrality and allow the rule of law to take precedence over political expediency.

He said: “The chairman of the committee asked me to deliver a goodwill message in support of issue-based and peaceful campaigns and political rallies devoid of insults and personal attacks.

“I readily agreed because this is my personal belief and conviction that we need to dwell more on issues that are fundamental to Nigeria.

“We will continue to act with neutrality and allow the rule of law to take precedence over political expediency. We have demonstrated that with off-cycle elections. We allowed Nigerians to decide who should govern them.

“I want to assure INEC, the security agencies, and other relevant institutions of continuous support. I ask you to be firm and courageous in conducting the elections.

“We must constantly improve our electoral process using technology and other positive elements which consolidate the integrity of the election.

“I urge the candidates contesting this election at all levels to respect the choice and voice of voters and accept the results of the election as announced by INEC, the agency empowered by law to do so.