As the country prepares for 2019 elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his administration will do everything possible to ensure that Nigeria witnesses the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections in 2019.
The President gave the assurance on Tuesday at the 20th anniversary celebration of the International Criminal Court (ICC), The Hague, Netherlands, Buhari where he said all hands are on deck to prevent a recurrence of tragic incidents that characterized the 2011 elections.
“…Let me intimate you that Nigeria is preparing to conduct general elections in 2019. Contrary to the tragic incidents that characterized the 2011 general elections in Nigeria which necessitated preliminary investigations by the International Criminal Court, I assure you that all hands are on deck to prevent any recurrence of such tragic incidents.” He said
“We shall do everything possible to ensure that Nigeria witnesses the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections in 2019.”
The President remarked that Nigeria has cooperated with, and supported the Court at all times.
“This, we have demonstrated by our full and transparent cooperation on matters on which we are being investigated and also in our several Country statements at the sessions of the Court.”
He explained that Nigeria’s “cooperation with the Court is borne out of its strong belief in the respect for the rule of law and human rights, and in firm commitment to the sanctity of fundamental freedoms at international and domestic levels, as ingrained in the objectives for establishing the Court.
Buhari noted that the Court has given hope for justice to so many, by demanding strict adherence to the rules of international humanitarian law.
This, he said has been carried out in addition to preventing impunity, promoting adherence and respect for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms worldwide and to punishing those in leadership positions responsible for the most appalling crimes and atrocities.
The ICC, according to him now needed more than ever, in ways that were unforeseeable to its founders, saying that the Court may have been created at a time of optimism that it would not need to be utilized frequently, but, unfortunately, the increase in international crimes has only increased the Court’s relevance.