As Nigeria marks Democracy Day less than a year to the general election, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday reassured Nigerians and 14 presidential candidates that he would ensure a free, fair and transparent electoral process.
The president stated this in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday as part of the activities to mark the 2022 Democracy Day in Abuja,
According to Nation June 12 of every year was declared Democracy Day to mark the military’s annulment of the June 12, 1993 general election which was won by late business magnate Moshood Abiola.
The annulment of the election by former military leader Ibrahim Babangida resulted in an uproar and ethnic sentiments that almost ended the continued existence of a united Nigeria.
Normal democratic elections were restored in 1999 after a negotiated electoral process which saw the emergence of Mr Olusegun Obasanjo as president to placate the Yoruba people of south west Nigeria.
The presidential candidates to beat in the February 2023 general elections are Mr Bola Tinubu, 70, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Atiku Abubakar, 75, of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 64-year-old Peter Obi of Labour Party.
As Nigerians upgrade their voter cards for the sixth general election, President Buhari said: “I am pleading with all citizens to come together and work with the government to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.” READ MORE NMG
