26th April, 2022
President Muhammadu Buhari will soon be honoured with Hero of Democracy Award, to be awarded by Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
Engr. Yusuf Yabagi, the Chairman of Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Coordinator of IPAC announced the award on Tuesday during an Iftar dinner with Buhari in Abuja.
Business and political party leaders attended the dinner in Aso Rock, Abuja.
Yabagi said Buhari will be honoured for the historic signing into law of the Electoral Act as it represents a paradigm shift that will guarantee peaceful, acceptable and all-inclusive elections in the country.
The IPAC co-ordinator described the President as a true democrat.
He said the Iftar event and the invitation by the President have introduced ‘‘credibility, respect and admiration in the polity’’.
‘‘The fact that political leaders of various political parties are sitting with you today speaks volumes that you are truly a democrat and believe in the project of growing democracy in this country,’’ he said.
On the forthcoming elections, Yabagi said: ‘‘Mr President, history beckons on you. 2023 is going to be your glorious exit. That is our prayer and for that to happen you have to take charge of every activity that matter in the exercise’’.
The IPAC Coordinator, who commended INEC for innovation and reforms towards ensuring credible elections, appealed to the President to look into the role of security agencies in the forthcoming general elections.
‘‘Members of IPAC are worried by the programme of INEC that elected candidates will spend 10 months campaigning around the country. That is a herculean task.
‘‘We also want the President to consider the appointment of a Political Liaison Officer,’’ Yabagi said, noting that the office will ensure better coordination between the President’s office and political parties.