President Muhammadu Buhari has denied insinuations that he was forcing Nigerians to vote for candidates other than their preferred choice in Saturday’s supplementary election being held in 17 states of the federation.
He has therefore urged voters to come out en masse and participate in the exercise.
According to a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Buhari appealed to voters to vote for the candidates they believe will deliver on promises because it is their “constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights.”
Describing the rumours as baseless, the President said at no time did he give instructions that the electorate should vote particular candidates.
“I believe in the will of the people, and I cannot, therefore, put pressure on voters to elect leaders they don’t like,” the President said emphatically.
The President assured Nigerians that he was ready to work with elected representatives of the people regardless of party platforms on which they were elected.
President Buhari said he would work in the best interest of the country and democracy.
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While thanking Nigerians for re-electing him, he said he would never forget their sacrifices in defying harsh weather conditions to vote for him.
The statement quoted the President as saying: “I was deeply overwhelmed by your show of incredible confidence in me, and I will never let you down. Thank you for your sincere show of support for me.”
President Buhari, however, appealed to voters not to get tired of coming out to vote in the supplementary elections, adding “these elections are no less important than others before them.”
President Buhari also called on INEC and security agencies to ensure that the supplementary elections are conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law and constitution.
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