2019 polls: I won’t cheat like I was cheated, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday that he would guarantee free and fair polls in 2019 by ensuring a level -playing field .
He alleged that in past elections when he contested before he won eventually in 2015 , votes were “ awarded ” to the winners to deny him victory .

Buhari spoke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when he received a delegation from the International Republican and National Democratic Institute, United States of America .

The delegation was led by Ambassador Linda -Thomas Greenfield .

Buhari stated , “ I am glad you are here to assess our pre – election preparations . It reminds me of the visit by the then Secretary of State, John Kerry , before the 2015 polls . We appreciate the concern of America for stability in developing countries .

“ Having run for President three times , ending up at the Supreme Court all three times , before God and technology made a way for me the fourth time, I know what it is to be cheated at the polls .

“ What they used to do was just to award votes and tell anyone who was dissatisfied to go to court . But we won ’ t do that . I am prepared to give the opposition the opportunities I was not given in the past . ”

He informed the visitors that he had directed the heads of all security agencies to be professional in their work .

He also said the focus of the All Progressives Congress government that he led , remained to fight corruption , insecurity and put the economy on the path of full recovery .

The President added , “ We have done fairly well in the areas we focussed on . We know how many local government areas in the North – East were under Boko Haram occupation before we came . That does not happen again, save for cowardly attacks, using young girls as suicide bombers .

“ Other areas of security challenge like farmers / herdsmen clashes are receiving attention , and will be sorted out as much as possible . ”

He also gave the reason he refused to sign the Electoral Act ( amendment ) Bill 2018 , blaming it on time factor .

“ Time is against us . We are extremely vulnerable , and need to be careful that messages are not hijacked and figures tampered with , while being transmitted electronically , he said .

Earlier , Greenfield told Buhari that the delegation had met with various groups in the country , including the media , civil society and political parties .

The delegation noted that the concerns raised by the groups were the partisan role of the security agencies during polls , the non – signing of the Electoral Bill and compromise by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Download Edujandon.com News App QR-Code

Edujandon.com - 24/7 News Upda

Developer: Edujandon Enterprises

Price: Free