2019: I Promise To Uphold INEC’s Independence – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his commitment to upholding the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the 2019 general elections.

Speaking during the opening of a two-day “Election Security Management Workshop’’ in Abuja on Thursday, President Buhari noted that the architecture of the country’s democracy rests on the people’s power to determine who occupies a political office.

The President was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, at the workshop that was organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Buhari promised to ensure that security agencies display professionalism in discharging their duties by remaining neutral in the 2019 general elections.

He said, “As President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am committed to upholding the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as this is sacred pathway toward our democracy.”

The President noted that “this had been demonstrated in the successes that INEC recorded in Ekiti, Anambra, Ondo and Edo governorship elections, as well as bye-elections in some other states.

“Therefore, the sanctity of the process must be upheld by all political parties and other stakeholders across political party divide if the country is to attain its full potential.’’

Buhari, who recalled his acceptance speech after emerging winner in the 2015 presidential election, restated his committed to conducting elections devoid of interference in 2018.

The President further assured the international community of the country’s commitment to advancing democratic values within Africa and beyond.

“Indeed, Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values underscores the leadership roles the country demonstrated in the enhancement of the democratic processes in Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Niger, The Gambia and Guinea Bissau,” said Buhari.