Lai Mohammed reveals that Buhari resisted pressure to rig Anambra elections in favour of APC

INFORMATION minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari was pressurised to rig the recent Anambra State gubernatorial elections in favour of his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but resisted the temptation.

Last Saturday, Anambrans went to the polls to elect a new governor and  incumbent Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (Apga) was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec). He has since been congratulated by most of his opponents, including the APC candidate Tony Nwoye,  who came second.

According to Alhaji Mohammed, President Buhari resisted the urge to rig the elections when he ordered the reinstatement of the re-elected Governor Obiano’s security aides who had been withdrawn by the inspector general of police, ahead of the commencement of the polls. He noted that President Buhari created a level playing field for all candidates involved in the last Saturday’s election.

Alhaji Mohammed said: “The Muhammadu Buhari administration provided a level playing field for all and he showed that from the manner he restored the security aides of Governor Obiano. For whatever reason, the inspector general of police felt that, going by experience, it will not be proper to leave the security aides, so, he posted out the aide-de-camp to the governor and other key security officials.

“However the president felt that it is not enough to be honest, you must also appear honest and whatever the reasons the inspector general might have is about perception. He said the right thing to do is to restore the governor’s aides and design a manner to ensure that nobody will abuse the constitution.

Femi Adesina, President Buhari's spokesperson, also revealed that the president has commended the people of Anambra State, the governorship candidates, Inec, election observers as well as security agencies and other stakeholders on the peaceful conduct of the elections. He said President Buhari particularly expressed delight at the conduct of the candidates post-election, describing it as heart-warming and a renewal of confidence in the sanctity of the ballot which deepens our nation’s democracy.

President Buhari said: “The processes leading to the election and its peaceful conduct and outcome, have shown that our electoral reform is bearing positive fruits. This is very encouraging and I am determined to give Nigeria free and fair elections, no matter which way the results swings.”

Furthermore, President Buhari urged Inec to improve on areas of logistics as the nation braces for coming governorship elections and the 2019 general elections. While congratulating Governor Obiano on his re-election, President Buhari urged him to rededicate himself to building on his achievements that endeared him to the electorate and swayed the overwhelming majority of votes in his favour.