I Want To See Democratic Standards raised In Nigeria - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says that he would like to see democratic standards in the country raised to a higher level.

This was disclosed in a statement, with the spokesman of the president, Garba Shehu, quoting Buhari as saying that politicians in the country who employ "do or die methods" to achieve their goal of power-grabbing hinder democratic growth in the country.

Buhari's comments come as elections in Edo State have begun, with the incumbent Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vies for reelection against the opposition, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The president was quoted as saying, “I am passionately committed to free and fair elections, but my own commitment is not enough if other actors at ground zero refuse to abide by the rules.

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“I want to see democratic standards in the country raised higher at every level, but these cannot be achieved when politicians resort to do or die methods to gain power by any means or machination.

“[They should] ensure free and fair elections and avoid any action(s) capable of compromising the integrity of the elections.

“Conducting free and fair elections is one of my main concerns for our democracy, and I want this commitment to be one of the legacies I will leave behind when I depart office.”