Nigeria at 58: Buhari makes strong statement on INEC, free and fair elections

macfranc007 October 01, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Nurudeen Lawal

- President Buhari said he is committed to ensuring that elections are free and fair

- The president said he will ensure that Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, is “exactly independent”

- He made this statement in his 58th Independence Day anniversary speech

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his commitment to ensuring free, fair and credible elections in the country.

The president stated this in a speech he delivered in the early hours of Monday, October 1, to mark the celebration of the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's Independence.

He reiterated his support for credible elections, saying: "I have committed myself many times to ensuring that elections are fully participatory, free and fair and that the Independent National Electoral Commission will be exactly INDEPENDENT and properly staffed and resourced. The ballot box is how we make our choice for the governments that rule in our name."

Noting that the day is one of celebration and solemn reflection, the President commended those who had sacrificed for the realisation of an independent Nigeria.

Buhari also highlighted some of the achievements of his administration in areas such as economy, security, insurgency, among others, and reaffirmed his determination to continue to work towards national development.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that President Buhari on Sunday, September 30, visited the two Nigerian Air Force officers involved in a crash last week, at the Defence Intelligence Agency hospital in Abuja.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 news app

The president turned up at the hospital to pay a morale-boosting visit to the injured officers at about 5.30pm.

He rejoiced with Squadron Leader Batuba, and Flight Lieutenant Andy, giving glory to God for sparing their lives and commiserated with them on the loss of their colleague, Squadron Leader M.B Babari.

How Nigerians celebrated the 57th Independence anniversary in Umuahia - on NAIJ.com TV: