President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness that despite efforts made by government in ensuring the conduct of credible elections in the country, some malpractices were experienced in the governorship polls recently conducted in Kogi and Bayelsa states.
He consequently called on Nigerians to support all necessary measures aimed at ensuring free, fair and credible elections in the country, including the use of card readers and permanent voter cards.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, quoted his principal as stating this yesterday while receiving the new Executive Committee members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Referring to recent elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states, President Buhari said it was unfortunate that there were still reports of unhelpful electoral attitudes,” the statement read.
Noting that more work needed to be done to perfect the conduct of elections across the country, the President told members of IPAC that it was regrettable that the electorate in some parts of the country were deprived of the use of card readers and permanent voter cards during the last general elections despite the enthusiasm that followed their introduction to the Nigerian electoral system.
He used the visit to appreciate the IPAC leaders for their strong support for his candidacy in the build-up to the March 28 presidential election.
In his remarks, the new Chairman of IPAC, Malam Bashir Yusuf, pledged the group’s support for the Buhari administration’s fight against insurgency and corruption in the country.
He went on to reaffirm IPAC’s belief in the unity, progress and indivisibility of Nigeria.
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