Ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Edo state, President Muhammadu Buhari has told politicians and security agents to ensure free, fair and transparent poll.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant On Media and Publicity, Mallam Shehu Garba, Buhari was quoted as warning against “the do-or-die mentality to politics.”
“I am passionately committed to free and fair elections, but my own commitment is not enough if other actors at ground zero refuse to abide by the rules.
”I want to see democratic standards in the country raised higher at every level, but these cannot be achieved when politicians resort to do-or-die methods to gain power by any means or machination.
“The do-or-die mentality to politics is a threat to free and fair elections because the actors are more focused on winning than caring about a fair outcome that reflects the will of the people” Buhari said.
He also advised election officials and security agents “to remain neutral to ensure free and fair elections and avoid any action(s) capable of compromising the integrity of the elections.”
Buhari’s message came days after U.S and UK Governments threatened to impose travel restrictions on individuals who will try to subvert democratic process.
