The President of the Federal Republic of Nigerian, Mohammed Buhari has vowed to use every legitimate means to protect the votes of Nigerians.

“Those planning to rig the forthcoming elections should think twice because I intend to resolutely protect and defend the sacred will of the Nigerian people, to be expressed through the ballot box,” the president declared at an iftar dinner with members of the diplomatic corps.

President Buhari also cautioned against foreign interference in the forthcoming elections.

“As you are all aware, the tenure of this administration ends on 29th May, 2023.

Typical of election years all over the world, the tempo of political activities is often high.

“That is the nature of democracy. I am committed to bequeathing a stronger culture of credible elections to Nigeria than I met.

‘As Nigeria goes through this trajectory, I urge our friends in the global community, represented by you the diplomatic corps, to adopt a positive role that reinforces the doctrine of respect for our internal affairs and respect for facts and devoid of pre-conceived notions and bias,” he said.

Commenting on the Russia- Ukraine conflict, the Nigerian leader called for greater consideration for humanitarian conditions in the affected areas in the ongoing crisis, warning that the conflict will get worse, if an immediate resolution is not found.