The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has agreed to hold the 2023 presidential elections on Saturday, 25 May 2023.
This assurance was given by the INEC President, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
This was recognized by the INEC president at the signing of a national peace deal by presidential candidates in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Professor Yakubu, Electoral Commissioners are ready to conduct free and fair elections and Nigerians should be assured that their votes are valid.
In addition, the INEC boss assured that the committee was neutral and had no preferred candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
In his words:-
“I want to, first of all, appreciate the untiring efforts of the National Peace Committee for convening this important event.
“This is the third peace accord to be signed by political parties and candidates on the eve of a general election in Nigeria since 2015, and the ninth overall, if we include the accord signed before the commencement of electioneering campaign in September last year and ahead of five off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo in 2020, Anambra in 2021, Ekiti and Osun states in 2022.
“The signing of the peace accord today comes at a critical moment in the electoral calendar. Campaign for presidential and national assembly elections ends at midnight tomorrow, Thursday, 23rd February, 2023. Election will hold on Saturday this week. INEC is ready.
“This morning, we commenced the movement of sensitive materials to the various local government areas nationwide. By Friday, we will activate the registration area centres, so that at first light on Saturday, polling units will open on time.
“The commission is committed to free, fair, and credible elections in compliance with the electoral framework and the spirit of the peace accord.
“All political parties and candidates are hereby reassured of the commission’s neutrality. INEC is not a political party. We have no candidate in the election. Our allegiance is to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and our loyalty is to Nigerians. Therefore, Nigerians should feel confident that their votes will count.”
