2023: We will consolidate on democratic gains, INEC assures UN

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC , Mahmood Yakubu, has assured the United Nations that it will continue to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic environment.

The chairman made this declaration when he received the delegation of special representatives to the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, UNOWAS, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, in Abuja on Monday.

Yakubu said the Commission will continue to build on the democratic
achievement it has made in other to give Nigerians their choice in 2023 general elections within the ambit o

“I want to assure you that we will continue to do what is right on the basis of the law. The ultimate choice is going to be made by Nigerians. Nigerians will determine who they want in the 2023 general election and we will continue to uphold the choice made by Nigerians.

“So I want to assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our elections continue to get better and better and the democratic environment is increasingly consolidated,” he said.

Yakubu said Nigeria has 11 million voters higher than 14 countries in the sub-region and each time the country holds an election is like a general election in the whole of West Africa.

He said: “There are 15 countries in the sub-region; in order to show the importance of Nigeria in our democracy, as at today, we have 84 million registered voters but Nigeria is one out of 15 countries in the sub-region.

“The total number of registered voters in the other 14 countries put together, is 73 million, meaning that Nigeria has 11 million voters more than other countries in the sub-region put together. Each time Nigeria conducts a general election, is like a general election in the whole of West Africa. So, we appreciate the enormous responsibility the Commission is charged with.

“Election is both national and international; we have very good working relationship with strategic partners and allies in the country, we work very closely with the political parties, civil society organisations, media, security agencies in the country but at the same time we also work closely with our friends in the international community such as UNOWAS.”

Earlier in his remarks, Annadif who spoke through an interpreter said the
United Nations will always be supportive to Nigeria so that the forthcoming election will take place peacefully.

He said: “We are here at the time Nigeria is preparing to hold election next year, 2023. For us the peace and stability and the security in the region depend also on Nigeria. Nigeria as we always say is a good example, we are happy that the candidates are already selected.

“The United Nations will always be supportive of Nigeria so that this election will take place peacefully. We congratulate you and we will support you again for the work been done and the work you will do in preparing for this election.”