Buhari Promises May Free, Fair, Credible 2019 Elections

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja assured the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Theresa May, of his commitment to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari, who made the promise at a bilateral meeting with May, welcomed UK's assistance to strengthen democratic institutions in Nigeria.

“I assure you that I’m all out for free, fair and credible elections. I’m very pleased that my party is doing very well. The High Commissioner will brief you more. The recent successes in polls in Katsina, Bauchi, and Kogi States have boosted our morale greatly.

“Nigeria has accepted multiparty democracy, and that is putting politicians on their toes, forcing them to work harder,’’ the president was quoted.

On the anti-corruption campaign, Adesina said the president applauded the British support for the country, noting that the success of the fight was very important to the ordinary people in the country.

He further quoted him saying: "We had great opportunities and resources between 1999 and 2014, due to high oil prices. But when we came in 2015, oil prices plunged to as low as $37 per barrel.

‘‘What we have been doing since 2015 is to focus on infrastructure development, despite low earnings. Work is ongoing in roads, rail, power and many others."

On Brexit, he said Buhari noted that UK's planned exit from European Union (EU) provides an opportunity to strengthen the historic ties between Nigeria and the UK.

According to him, ‘‘We are nervously watching the development about Brexit because we know that the relationship had been on for a long time.  I assure you that I am prepared to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.’’

According to Adesina, the president thanked the UK government for its support on security and the fight against insurgency in north-eastern part Nigeria as well as the improved trade relations between both countries.

‘‘I am very grateful to the British government under you leadership for the help in security, particularly your training team that is in our institution in Kaduna,’’ Buhari reportedly said.

The statement added that before the commencement of the bilateral meeting, Buhari underscored the need for UK's support to revive the Lake Chad, which he described as a means of livelihood for millions of people. 

It also said the president told the visiting prime minister that Europe and China were already conducting an in-depth study on how to recharge the Lake through inter-basin transfer from the Central African Republic.

Furthermore, Adesina said in her remarks, May, who welcomed the assurance by the Nigerian Government that it would conduct credible elections in 2019, said she was pleased to be in Abuja to continue the ‘excellent discussions’ she started with Buhari in London in April this year, particularly on security, trade, asset recovery and the fight against corruption.

‘‘Security and defence cooperation is very important step to address Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa,’’ he quoted May as saying.

On asset recovery, May was quoted as saying: ‘‘We do not want to hold anything that belongs to Nigeria people, but we follow the judicial process, which can be slow.’’

The statement added: "The Prime Minister appealed to President Buhari to use his position as ECOWAS Chair to keep the issue of human trafficking on the front burner in the sub-region.

"President Buhari and Prime Minister May witnessed the signing of two agreements-Security and Defence Partnership and Economic Development Forum Agreement."