The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the far reaching electoral reforms his government had made but pleaded to him to take more proactive actions in the area of security in the country.

“We commend and congratulate you for the efforts the government has put into ensuring real improvement in our electoral system and processes, especially your signing into law the electoral bill.

“Please do not relent in making sure that INEC and other relevant agencies of government carry out their serious duties to conduct peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections.”

Speaking today, when he led members of the Conference on a courtesy visit to President Buhari at the Presidential villa, Abuja, its President, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, called on Buhari to use the remaining months in office as Commander-in-Chief to tackle insecurity in the country, and improve the economy.

“The main crux of our message to you today is one of fervent appeal and strong encouragement. Your tenure of two terms as President, Commander-In-Chief of Nigeria, is drawing to an end. “But we believe a lot can be done to turn things around for the better in the about four months left of your presidency before you step down in May 2023.

“We have seen some signs that the government is not entirely incapable of tackling the sad state of insecurity in the land, which has consumed thousands of innocent Nigerians across all religions, creed, and ethnic groups.”

Responding, President Buhari promised that the gains recorded in security will be further consolidated, and more attention will be given to the economy, before handing over on May 29, 2023.

He said that the security situation had improved over the years, particularly in the North East where the focus had shifted to rebuilding infrastructure and re-orientation on education.

“I am very grateful for your visit to the Presidential Villa, and I agree with you on some of the observations you have made. The question of insecurity is most important to us because unless a country or institution is at peace, it will be difficult to manage.

“I just came back from Adamawa and Yobe States. During the visit to both states, I listened carefully to what the people and officials had to say. And they all said the situation had improved since 2015, especially in Borno State.

“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria. You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually.”

President Buhari told the Catholic Bishops that the government will continue rebuilding infrastructure in parts of the country affected by terrorist attacks, while underscoring that terrorists had no control over any space in Nigeria.

“Some people have acknowledged the difference.”

On the economy, the President said that creditors had full confidence in Nigeria, with the capacity to utilize resources and repay loans before the approvals were granted.

“We are credible, that’s why the countries and institutions agreed to support our development with the loans.”

The President said that the destruction of oil facilities slowed the generation of revenues, and the government would be harder on saboteurs.

“If you look at the economy, we are trying hard to rely more on ourselves. Nigerians rely more on agriculture for livelihood, and we are putting in our best to enable more people, and diversify.”

He said that some of the challenges faced in the past, which include coups and counter-coups, and civil war, had prepared the nation for survival.

“We thank God that Nigeria is still one,’’ he said. “We should not forget that more than a million died for the nation to survive.”

The President noted that he had been part of Nigeria’s history since 1967, fighting in the civil war, serving as governor, minister, Head of State, Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund, contesting presidential elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011, before winning in 2015.

“We should thank God, and we should reflect on these things and thank God more.”

The Catholic Bishops presented a souvenir containing a letter of encouragement and prayers for the forthcoming elections, to President Buhari.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has confirmed that 93,469,008 voters have been registered nationwide to vote in the February/March 2023 general elections.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who spoke at a meeting with representatives of 18 political parties in Abuja today, January 11, said that 44,414,846 registered voters are females and 49,054,162 are males.

He said that out of the total registered voters, the number of young people between 18 and 34 stood at 37,060,399, representing 39.65% of the total registered voters while the elderly between the ages of 50 and 69 stood at 17,700,270, representing 18.94% of total registered voters.

According to him, every other arrangement is in high gear, including the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

The INEC chairman said that with the presentation of the voter register; the commission has successfully achieved 11 out of the 14 activities scheduled for the 2023 general elections.

He said that the INEC is not considering postponing the forthcoming election.

The Department of State Service (DSS) has assured that it will not spare any effort in ensuring that threats to national security and conduct of the 2023 polls are curtailed.

The spokesman of the Service, Dr. Peter Afunanya, in a statement today, January 10, said that the Service would create the enabling environment needed for the 2023 elections.

“We restate our unalloyed support to the President on his resolve to continue to confront head-on, threats to national security as well as create the enabling environment necessary for the 2023 general elections to hold.”

He said that the campaign of calumny targeting Service’s Director-General, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, his family and some key officials of the Service will be resisted.

Dr. Afunanya called on members of the public to ignore the ridiculous horseplay of disgruntled elements aimed at undermining the highly dedicated leadership and management of the Service.

”Also, some sections of the media have been briefed to implement the strategy through sponsored articles, commentaries and features to malign the DG, his family and select officials of the Service.

“The Service is monitoring developments and will allow the plotters to either exhaust themselves or rescind the plan of action. Otherwise, no amount of intimidation, harassment and blackmail will deter it from discharging its duties.

“However, it would not idly watch a group of dissatisfied gang to undermine the Service and its highly dedicated leadership and management.

“The DSS, therefore, wishes to inform the public to be wary of these tendencies and ignore the antics of dark forces out to impugn the character of the DG.”

Also, the nation’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm.

The Minister reaffirmed that the Federal Government remains resolute and unwavering in holding the elections scheduled for February 25 and March 11 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He gave the assurance at the 17th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari scorecard series in Abuja on Tuesday covered by Persecondnews.

Lai Mohammed also said the synergy between INEC and the various security agencies will ensure elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere.

“Let me use this opportunity to respond to inquiries from the media over a widely-circulated report, credited to an INEC official that the 2023 general elections face a serious threat of cancellation due to insecurity.

“The position of the Federal Government remains that the 2023 elections will be held as planned. Nothing has happened to change that position.

“We are aware that INEC is working wth the security agencies to ensure that the elections are successfully held across the country.

“The security agencies have also continued to assure Nigerians that they are working tirelessly to ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere. Therefore, there is no cause for alarm,” the minister said.