Nigerians’ decisions will continue to be upheld by INEC, says Yakubu

Nigerians will chose their leaders in the general elections of 2023, according to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This was said by Yakubu on Monday in Abuja when he received a delegation of Special Representatives of the UN Secretary-General, led by Ahmad Annadif, Head of the UN Office in West Africa and the Sahel Region (UNOWAS).

In order to honour the decision made by Nigerians, Yakubu stated that the commission would continue to operate in accordance with the terms of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended, including the general elections in 2023.

The final decision will be made by Nigerians. In the general elections of 2023, Nigerians will decide who holds what positions.

“We’ll keep supporting the decision taken by Nigerians.

So, he continued, “I want to assure you that we will stop at nothing to ensure that our elections keep becoming better and better and that the democratic environment is steadily being solidified.

With 84 million registered voters, INEC is conscious of Nigeria’s strategic importance in the region and the need for stability and peace through free, fair, and credible elections, according to Yakubu.

“Nigeria is one of the 15 countries in the subregion, although all 73 million of the 14 countries’ registered voters are combined.

“This means that 11 million more people are registered to vote in Nigeria than in the entire subregion.

“Whenever Nigeria holds general elections, all of West Africa is also participating.

So, Yakubu remarked, “we understand the huge responsibility the commission is given.

The chairman praised UNOWAS for aiding INEC in the conduct of the Nigerian elections.

He gave the team his word that the commission would continue to support an impartial election process.

He said that INEC had been working with organizations like the UN Needs Assessment Mission to Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In order to conduct credible elections in the nation, Yakubu stated that INEC was always eager and prepared to collaborate with organizations and countries in the international community.

“I remembered that the UNOWAS supported the commission before the most recent general elections were held.”

“I remembered that the UNOWAS supported the commission before the most recent general elections, which were held in 2019.

“We are also pleased that a United Nations Needs Assessment Mission was invited in response to our call and our collaboration with the United Nations Office in Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme in advance of the 2023 general election.

“I am pleased that the United Nations Secretary-General accepted our invitation and recently dispatched a Need Assessment Mission.

“I also like to thank UNOWAS for consistently sending a team to oversee and watch our elections. I have no doubt that 2023 won’t be any different,” Yakubu continued.

The delegation’s leader, Annadif, reassured INEC of the UN’s ongoing support for free and fair elections as well as for furthering Nigeria’s democracy.

According to Annadif, the West African region’s peace and security were heavily dependent on Nigeria’s stability because of its size and inability to be ignored.

We’re here because elections will be held in Nigeria the next year. There are signs that Nigeria’s peace is crucial to the region’s stability and peace.

“The United Nations would always back Nigeria in order for this election to be conducted peacefully.

We commend you and will continue to assist you in the work you have done and will do in getting ready for this election, he said.

We commend you and will continue to assist you in the work you have done and will do in getting ready for this election, he said.

Annadif complimented the nation on the smooth running of party primaries for all political parties and expressed happiness that party candidates had emerged in peace.