TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will do its best to ensure that results of 2019 elections reflect the will of the people.

Buhari said he understood the yearnings of Nigerians and strongly believed in the collective dream for a greater country.

He said this while receiving letter of credence from Jyrki Pulkkinen, ambassador of Finland to Nigeria.

The president has made the promise on different occasions, one being when he hosted Amina Mohammed, United Nations deputy secretary-general earlier in the year.

The president said Nigerians reserved the right to elect leaders at various levels in 2019, adding that all efforts will be made to “safeguard the integrity of the process”.

“I respect the people’s feelings. I assure all that we will have a free and fair election next year.”

The president congratulated Finland on its 101th independence anniversary while commending the growing relations with Nigeria, especially in areas of information communication technology (ICT), trade and education.

Buhari also received letter of credence from Jerome Pasquier, ambassador of France.

The president said he was impressed with the relations between France and its former colonies in Africa, noting that France continues to play positive roles in promoting security and economic growth in the countries.

“France is investing so much in Nigeria and we are grateful,” Buhari said.

Buhari called for more support in the fight against insurgency, noting that the network keep expanding with fighters moving across borders to support insurgents.

Responding, the French ambassador said President Emmanuel Macron will continue to support Nigeria, especially in the ongoing war against terrorism, with specific interest in gathering and sharing of intelligence.