President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday declared that the scarcity of Naira notes reduced the influence of money on politics and incidence of vote-buying in the 2023 general elections.
Buhari made the declaration after casting his vote in Daura, Katsina State, in the Saturday’s Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in Katsina.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari urged Nigerians to collect money offered to them by vote-buyers but vote their conscience.
“I am aware that the money is not there like before for people to sway voters, like they used to do. And if they bring out money, the people should pocket it and still vote their conscience,” the president was quoted as saying.
The President urged the electorate to follow their conscience in choosing right leaders, both state executives and legislatures, noting that the era of vote buying had been diminished.
He boasted that his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would emerge victorious in the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections nationwide.
According to him, the outcomes of the Saturday March 18 elections will favour the APC across the country as Nigerians know the party “means what it says, and says what it means.’’
Buhari noted that he was not surprised at the results of the February 25 presidential elections, which saw Bola Tinubu emerging as President-elect, since the APC campaigns were thorough, and detailed.
“I am sure we are going to win, again’’, President Buhari told newsmen, after casting his vote at the Ward A, Sarkin Yara Polling Unit, 003, in Daura, Katsina State.
Buhari added that the APC followed the constitutional procedure for the entire electoral process, chosing a party Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, who had served as a two-term Governor in Nasarawa State, and legislator in the Senate, with an experience that will secure the electoral value and relevance of the party.
“Nigerians trust us because we mean what we say and say what we mean. We have maintained that trust. We told Nigerians that we will work for them, and we have done our best in education and health facilities, and Nigerians appreciate our efforts,’’ he said.
On deepening of democratic culture and rising awareness among Nigerians, the President said the media had played a major role in empowering people with information on their rights, and providing a platform for voters to challenge leaders on promises and records.
