The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to uphold the electoral choices made by Nigerians in the 2023 general elections.
Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman made the pledge when he received Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the special representative of the secretary-general and head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), in Abuja on Monday.
Yakubu said Nigerians will determine the people they want to become their leaders at all levels in the 2023 general election, while the commission will continue to do what is right under the law to ensure a peaceful election.
“I want to assure you that we will continue to do what is right on the basis of the law. The ultimate choice is going to be made by Nigerians. Nigerians will determine who they want in the 2023 general elections and we will continue to uphold the choice made by Nigerians.
“So I want to assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our elections continue to get better and better and the democratic environment is increasingly consolidated,” he said.
Yakubu acknowledged the support of UNOWAS to the commission in the 2019 general elections and expressed optimism that the body will do the same in the 2023 polls.
He also appreciated the strategic importance of Nigeria in the West African sub-region and its responsibility in ensuring that there is electoral and democratic stability in the sub-region.
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Yakubu said Nigeria has 11 million voters higher than 14 countries in the sub-region and each time the country holds an election, it is like, a general election in the whole of West Africa.
He said: “There are 15 countries in the sub-region; in order to show the importance of Nigeria in our democracy, as of today, we have 84 million registered voters but Nigeria is one out of 15 countries in the sub-region.
“The total number of registered voters in the other 14 countries put together is 73 million, meaning that Nigeria has 11 million voters more than other countries in the sub-region put together. Each time Nigeria conducts a general election, it is like a general election in the whole of West Africa. So, we appreciate the enormous responsibility the commission is charged with.
“Election is both national and international; we have a good working relationship with strategic partners and allies in the country, we work very closely with the political parties, civil society organisations, media, security agencies in the country but at the same time we also work closely with our friends in the international community such as UNOWAS.”
Earlier in his remarks, Annadif who spoke through an interpreter said the United Nations will support Nigeria to achieve a peaceful election.
“We are here at the time Nigeria is preparing to hold an election next year. For us, the peace, stability and security in the region depend also on Nigeria. Nigeria as we always say is a good example, we are happy that the candidates are already selected.
“The United Nations will always support Nigeria so that this election will take place peacefully. We congratulate you and we will support you again for the work been done and the work you will do in preparing for this election.”
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