The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday, said the outcome of the recent governorship election in Edo State confirmed that he believed in credible polls.
Buhari said this in his nationwide broadcast to mark the nation’s 60th independence.
The President said he was committed to bequeathing to Nigeria processes and procedures that would guarantee that the people’s votes count.
He said, “I am a firm believer in transparent, free, fair and credible elections as has been demonstrated during my period as a democratically elected President.
“The recent build-up and eventual outcome of the Edo State elections should encourage Nigerians that it is my commitment to bequeath to this country processes and procedures that would guarantee that the people’s votes count.
“The problems with our electoral process are mainly human-induced as a desperate desire for power leads to desperate attempts to gain power and office.
“Democracy, the world over and as I am pursuing in Nigeria, recognises the power of the people. However, if some constituencies choose to bargain off their power, they should be prepared for denial of their rights.
“This call is made more urgent if we realise that even after a transparent, free, fair and credible election, desperation leads to compromising the judiciary to upturn legitimate decisions of the people.
“It is necessary to, therefore support the enthronement of the rule of law by avoiding actions which compromise the judiciary.”
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