With less than 48 hours to the much-talked-about general, President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to all the candidates to accept the decision of voters and the eventual outcome of the elections.
This is as he reiterated that he remains committed to ensuring that the election is free, fair, credible, safe and peaceful.
President Buhari made the statement, on Wednesday, at the signing of the peace accord by the candidates and chairpersons of the 18 political parties participating in the presidential election.
The peace accord signing ceremony was organised by the National Peace Committee and it attracted attendance from local and international observers.
His words: “The chairman of the committee asked me to deliver a goodwill message in support of issue-based and peaceful campaigns and political rallies devoid of insults and personal attacks,” he said.
“I readily agreed because this is my personal belief and conviction that we need to dwell more on issues that are fundamental to Nigeria.
“We will continue to act with neutrality and allow the rule of law to take precedence over political expediency. We have demonstrated that with off-cycle elections. We allowed Nigerians to decide who should govern them.
“I want to assure INEC, the security agencies, and other relevant institutions of continuous support. I ask you to be firm and courageous in conducting the elections.
“We must constantly improve our electoral process using technology and other positive elements which consolidate the integrity of the election.
“I urge the candidates contesting this election at all levels to respect the choice and voice of voters and accept the results of the election as announced by INEC, the agency empowered by law to do so.
‘Any aggrieved candidate should resort to the established judicial processes. We must have the confidence to trust out legal systems.”
