The APC governors visited the Nigerian leader in Abuja on Tuesday and details of their meeting were contained in a statement by the president’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina. According to Adesina, Buhari told the governors that non-interference in elections gives credence to the political process, ensures participation and inclusiveness, and shows that the governing party respects the electorate. The president said he was impressed by the recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun, where he said he did not also interfere.

The APC lost the governorship elections in Anambra and Osun but won in Ekiti. “I want Nigerians to know that we respect them, and for us to show that we will allow them to vote who they want. “We all witnessed what happened in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States. What happened in those states gives me a lot of hope that we are succeeding,” Buhari said.

Using state apparatus, especially security agencies and a compromised electoral commission, has been a sad point in previous elections in Nigeria. But electoral observers have commended the recent elections in the three states although they said vote-buying was the new way politicians were influencing voters.

 Buhari recently conveyed that he would only support candidates of his party, APC, in 2023. His Tuesday statement, as quoted by Adesina, indicates that while the president as a politician will campaign for his party, he does not plan to use state apparatus to give his party an advantage.