Democracy Day: 2023 polls must not be do-or-die affair - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged Nigerians, especially those who would be involved in electoral campaigns, to ensure that the process is devoid of the ‘do-or-die’ spirit.

The President who gave the charge in his 2022 Democracy Day message, today, assured Nigerians of his preparedness to ensure that his successor emerges through a transparent process.

President Buhari, however, charged politicians and their followers to conduct their campaigns with a high sense of maturity and dignity, the type he said had been sustained throughout the various parties’ primaries.
“As we move into the general election campaign season, we must sustain this mature attitude to campaigning and ultimately, voting. We must never see it as a ‘do or die affair. We must all remember democracy is about the will of the majority. There must be winners and losers.

“I will therefore take this opportunity on this very special day to ask all candidates to continue running issue-focused campaigns and to treat opponents with dignity. As leaders, you must all showcase the high character and never forget that the world is watching us and Africa looks up to Nigeria to provide an example in governance. The tone you set at the top will surely be replicated in your followers.

“For the voters, I am pleased to inform you that in the last seven years, our government across all tiers, has made significant investments to reform and enhance our electoral laws, systems, and processes to safeguard your votes,” he said.

Assuring that citizens’ rights to choose their government would be preserved, President Buhari said, “the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary were and still remain united and committed to ensuring these reforms are fully implemented in the 2023 general elections. Fellow Nigerians, your right to choose your government will be preserved and protected.”

While further assuring citizens of his administration’s commitment to delivering on its promise of a peaceful electoral process, the President charged them to also support the process that would deliver the desired results, especially in honour and memory of the June 12 icon, the late Chief MKO Abiola.