Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, in New York, declared that his legacy after office would be to deepen the democratic process of free, fair, and credible elections through which the people would elect their leaders in the 2023 general elections.
The president who said this in his farewell speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), added that in the 77th session next year there would be a new face speaking for Nigeria from the podium of the Assembly Hall.
He used his speech to reiterate his commitment to constitutional term limits and Nigeria’s effort to promote rule of law and democracy in West Africa, citing the country’s support to The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Chad during their political impasse.
Part of his speech reads, “We believe in the sanctity of constitutional term limits and we have steadfastly adhered to it in Nigeria. We have seen the corrosive impact on values when leaders elsewhere seek to change the rules to stay on in power.
“Indeed, we are now preparing for general elections in Nigeria next February. At the 78th UNGA, there will be a new face at this podium speaking for Nigeria.
“Ours is a vast country strengthened by its diversity and its common values of hard work, enduring faith, and a sense of community.
“We have invested heavily to strengthen our framework for free and fair elections. I thank our partners for all the support that they have provided our election institutions.
“As President, I have set the goal that one of the enduring legacies I would like to leave is to entrench a process of free, fair and transparent, and credible elections through which Nigerians elect leaders of their choice.”
Buhari, 79, who took office after defeating a sitting president in a general election in 2015, will make way for a new leader in what would be another peaceful transfer of power, helping cement Nigeria’s democratic credentials.
