Nigerians votes will count in 2023 poll: NNPP chieftain

Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani, a chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expressed optimism that the 2023 general election will be free, fair, and credible.

Tijjani, also the NNPP Kaduna Central Senate Candidate for 2023, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Kaduna.

He said going by the successes recorded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun governorship elections, it was obvious that the 2023 general election would be hitch-free and credible.

Tijjani, also a philanthropist, said that although Nigeria was faced with the problem of increasing money politics, only popular and credible candidates would excel in the 2023 poll.

He said that the NNPP would win the 2023 poll at all levels going its popularity across the country.

“Honestly, as I said before, many Nigerians are battling with daily survival trying to get even a meal per day, so whoever gives them money will take it.

“But am sure that with what they have experienced before, they won’t allow politicians to deceive them with money, they will collect the money and vote for credible candidates.

“Nigerians will only vote for people who they think will do the right thing,” he said.

He said that with the introduction of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Results Viewing Portal, it would be difficult for unpopular candidates to rigg the election.

“With what INEC has been saying and with what happened in the Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun elections and the increasing use of technology in elections, I think the electoral umpire is set for a credible election in 2023.

“Am talking today because I have confidence in my creator, the Almighty Allah and I believe that with what INEC has done in those states the election will be credible.

“I believe there will be no late arrival of election materials and with the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Results in Viewing Portal once you vote it will be automatically recorded in the system.

“It is not going to be business as usual, so it will be difficult for people to vote three four, or five times, or just hire thugs to thumbprint on thousands or millions of ballot papers like before,” Tijjani said.

He said that if INEC remained impartial in the conduct of the election, then it would be most credible.

“And if INEC sticks to its impartial stance, then the most popular candidates will win, even if they are the poorest among the contestants,” Tijjani said.