The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain neutrality in the coming election, stating that 2023 election is more than an election.
Newsonline reports that President Buhari also called on political parties and their presidential candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns, and shun misinformation to ensure unity and progress of the country.
Buhari stated this on Thursday while addressing presidential candidates via a video during the signing of the Peace Accord for presidential candidates organized by the National Peace Committee (NPC).
The president reminded the candidates that they are seeking opportunity to serve the country and must see it as a duty to uphold the unity and progress of the nation in their campaigns.
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”The 2023 election is more than an election, it is an opportunity to serve Nigeria, to defend Nigeria and to uphold her unity and progress,” Buhari said.
The President further stated, ”Therefore, I call on all Nigerians, political parties, politicians, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria is placed first above regional and sectional claims.
”I appeal to the contestants, especially their publicity agents and media advisers to shun personal attacks, avoid insults and incitement, reject the spread of fake news, and commit to issue-based campaigns and political rallies.
”Once again, let me emphasize that everything must be done to support the National Peace Committee in its work to ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria.”
Present in the Peace Accord signing organized by the National Peace Committee (NPC), chaired by a former Head of State, Abdusalami Abubakar, was Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP); Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, presidential candidate, New Nigeria Progressives Party (NNPP), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presidential candidate All progressives Congress (APC), represented by his vice-presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima.
