2023 Elections: Forget rigging, Buhari vows to resolutely defend the will of Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja advised those planning to rig the 2023 general elections to perish the thought, vowing to use every legitimate means to protect the votes of Nigerians.

This was made known in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina on Thursday.

According to Adesina, Buhari advised all those planning to rig the forthcoming elections to think twice as he would defend the will of Nigerians.

‘‘Those planning to rig the forthcoming elections should think twice because I intend to resolutely protect and defend the sacred will of the Nigerian people, to be expressed through the ballot box,’’ the President declared at an Iftar dinner with members of the Diplomatic Corps.

President Buhari also cautioned against foreign interference in the forthcoming elections.

‘‘As you are all aware, the tenure of this Administration ends on 29th May, 2023. Typical of election years all over the world, the tempo of political activities is often high.

“That is the nature of democracy. I am committed to bequeathing a stronger culture of credible elections to Nigeria than I met.

‘‘As Nigeria goes through this trajectory, I urge our friends in the global community, represented by you the Diplomatic Corps, to adopt a positive role that reinforces the doctrine of respect for our internal affairs and respect for facts and devoid of pre-conceived notions and bias,’’ he said.