2019 elections was a major discuss in the State House today, as President Muhammadu Buhari assured visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May of a free, fair and credible 2019 elections.
President Muhammadu Buhari made this statement on Wednesday in Abuja, as he assured the UK Prime Minister of his administration commitment for a credible outcome in the 2019 election.
Also, in a bilateral meeting with the visiting Prime Minister, President Buhari welcomed UK’s support at strengthening democratic institutions in the country. He said:
‘‘I assure you that I’m all out for free, fair and credible 2019 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 have boosted our morale greatly.
‘‘Nigeria has accepted multiparty democracy and that is putting politicians on their toes, forcing them to work harder,’’ he said.
After stating his Nigeria and his administration’s commitment for a credible 2019 elections, President Muhammadu Buhari touched on economic and security issues, especially on anti-corruption campaign. He applauded the British support to the country, noting that the success of the fight was very important to ordinary people in the country.
“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 dollars 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, President Buhari noted that it provides an opportunity to strengthen the historic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
‘‘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.’’
The President also thanked the UK government for the support on security and the fight against insurgency in the North Eastern part of 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,’’ he said.