President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday advised the international community to avoid asserting negative influences in the 2023 general elections.

Mr Buhari said political temperature is bound to heighten in the run up to the end of his administration on May 29 but he is committed to bequeathing a stronger culture of credible elections to Nigeria than what he met.

“As Nigeria goes through this trajectory, I urge our friends in the global community, represented by you members of the diplomatic corps, to adopt a positive role,” the Nigerian leader cautioned.

“A role that reinforces the doctrine of respect for our internal affairs and respect for facts, devoid of preconceived notions and bias,’’ he stressed.”

The president gave the advice at a dinner he had with members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria to break Thursday’s Ramadan fasting.

Mr Buhari also vowed to crush anyone or group planning to compromise the integrity of the next general election.

“Those planning to rig the 2023 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,’’ he said.

On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Buhari called for greater consideration for humanitarian conditions in the affected areas, warning that “’the conflict will get worse, if an immediate resolution is not found.

“The war has lasted too long; costs so much and hurt too many people well beyond the immediate theatres.

“The rest of the world is progressively facing the impact of the conflict and this will certainly get worse if an immediate resolution is not found, not least in the area of food security.’’

He urged the world, especially the Muslim community to use the solemn and rewarding month of Ramadan to intensify prayers for the de-escalation of the conflict and for the return of peace to the world.

On the fight against Boko Haram, the president said: “As you know well, Nigeria has made significant progress in combating the Boko Haram group in the Northeast.

“We are, however, recently confronted with new tactics deployed by the enemy to threaten our democratic values, as well as the common peace and freedom we enjoy in this country,’’ he noted.

Buhari commended Nigeria’s defence and security servicemen and women for their recent successes in routing the terrorists.

Responding on behalf of the diplomats, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Amb. Ibrahima Salaheddine pledged that the international community would continue to support Nigeria before, during and after the 2023 general elections.

Mr Salaheddinem is the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria,

“As Nigeria enters another electoral year, we pray to the Almighty God to put the electoral process under divine guidance for peaceful, free and fair elections,’’ he said.

He noted that COVID-19 truncated the tradition of meeting the president for the breaking of the fast for two years.

Mr Salaheddinem congratulated the Nigerian government for curtailing the spread of the pandemic.

“The enlightened leadership of President Buhari largely brought its spread in Nigeria under control,’’ he said.

(NAN)