President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja urged all political parties in the country to keep elections and election-related differences aside and his administration’s drive to defeat insecurity in the country.
Speaking at an Iftar dinner with members of the business community and the leadership of political parties, President Buhari described insecurity as a ‘‘common enemy’’ bedevilling the country.
He said: ‘‘Without mass, popular support to our hard working Armed Forces, it will take us much longer to finish off the successful war we are waging against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. Our country must be kept safe for progress and prosperity to be entrenched.
‘‘I look forward to seeing the reflection of this spirit in the relationship between the parties and the government, especially as the electioneering season will soon be on us.’’
President Buhari further recounted that last week the National Executive Committee ( NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had a tremendous success at its meeting, ending with a clear message that the party will continue to push for the establishment of democratic principles at all levels.
‘‘Today, we can proudly say that we have a political system that allows political parties of all views and persuasions, reflecting the diversity of our nation to co-exist, and contest for elections at all levels of government without fear or institutional bias and pressure,” he said.
