TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says the 2023 elections will be free of manipulation and difficult to rig.

The president on Tuesday reiterated for the umpteenth time that the general election would be free, fair and credible.

He said the elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states serve as an indication that the federal government will not allow meddling in elections.

Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesperson, quoted Buhari as making the comment in Abuja while hosting the West African Elders Forum Pre-Election Mediation Mission.

The mission was led by former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma.

“Thank you for accepting to do this service for our sub-region,” the president said.

“That right is guaranteed. We are settling down, and making progress. People should vote whoever they want, in whatever party.

“We shall not allow anyone to use money and thugs to intimidate the people.

“Nigerians know better now, they are wiser, and know that it is better to dialogue than to carry weapons. Elections are even more difficult to rig now.”

The former Sierra Leonean president commended Buhari for making it clear both locally and internationally that the 2023 elections would be free and fair.

He also praised him for not seeking a third term in office, adding that “other countries look up to Nigeria for direction”.

“When we had issues in Sierra Leone and Liberia, it was Nigeria that came in to stabilise the system,” he added.