Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday vowed to hold fair, transparent and credible elections in Nigeria, reported The Reuters.
In his last speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as Nigeria’s President, Mr. Buhari said that next year there would be a new face speaking for Nigeria from the podium of the Assembly Hall.
“Indeed, we now are preparing for general elections in Nigeria next February. At the 78th UNGA, there will be a new face at this podium speaking for Nigeria,” the Nigerian president told the world leaders.
He vowed to entrench a process of free, fair, transparent, and credible elections through which Nigerians elect leaders of their choice. He also reiterated his commitment to constitutional term limits and Nigeria’s effort to promote the rule of law and democracy in West Africa, citing the country’s support to The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Chad during their political impasse.
”We believe in the sanctity of constitutional term limits and we have steadfastly adhered to it in Nigeria,” President Buhari said adding that, “We have seen the corrosive impact on values when leaders elsewhere seek to change the rules to stay on in power.
He also called for attention towards international issues, including the war in Ukraine, climate change, malignant use of technology, and debt service suspension.
The Nigerian president warned that the danger of escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war further justified Nigeria’s resolute calls for a nuclear-free world and a universal Arms Trade Treaty, which are necessary measures to prevent global human disasters.
He demanded that world leaders must work together fast to reach consensus on the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty with related commitments by nuclear weapon states.
President Buhari also called for outright debt cancellation for developing countries facing the most severe fiscal and liquidity challenges. He said the people of these nations face numerous challenges, including being able to service external debts.
