President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday urged Nigerians to collect money by vote-buying politicians but vote their conscience.
Buhari stated this on Saturday in an interview with journalists after voting at Ward A, Sarkin Yara Polling Unit, 003, Daura in Katsina for the nationwide governorship and state house of assembly elections.
According to Buhari, the new naira policy has ensured a shortage of naira notes that would have been used by unscrupulous elements to influence the outcome of the elections in their favour.
“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 now, the people should pocket it, and still vote their conscience.”
The president’s comment was contained in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Garba Shehu on Saturday.
The statement was titled, “Nigerians know we mean what we say, they will vote for us again, says President Buhari.”
The Nigerian leader noted that the electorates should follow their conscience in choosing the right leaders, both state executives and legislatures.
President Buhari affirmed that the administration had “diminished” the era of vote buying.
The president also boasted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge victorious in the Governorship and State of Assembly elections nationwide because Nigerians know the party “means what it says, and says what it means.’’
The President noted that he was not surprised at the results of the Presidential elections on February 25, 2023, 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,’’ he said.
In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that a total of 140 thugs have been reportedly arrested by soldiers providing security in Enugu State for the governorship and House of Assembly elections.
The 140 thugs were arrested with arms and ammunition in the university town of Nsukka in the Nsukka Local Government Area.