Only Nigerians to decide outcome of 2023 polls – Korean govt

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Republic of Korea has declared that only eligible Nigerians would decide the outcome of the forthcoming 2023 general elections, through the exercise of their sovereign right, which is the basis of democracy.

Making this assertion, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Kim Young-chae, insisted that eligible Nigerians need to exercise their sovereign right in a judicious way, given the huge stature of Nigeria in Africa and the world. 

Kim, who spoke yesterday, during an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja, noted that although Korea’s neutrality in the electioneering process, but  the country has  commitment to see the election is free, fair, transparent and peaceful. 

He disclosed that he had already met  with some major presidential  candidates including Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he emphasized the country’s commitment to democracy, free, fair, transparent, peaceful and orderly transitional power. 

He said “Nigeria is the biggest country in Africa, if Nigeria doesn’t well, it will affect the whole Africa continent and globally. So the 2023 election is very important. 

According to him: “Whoever wins, it  should be free, fair, transparent and peaceful. Personally, I don’t have any interest in who wins the election, as it is up to Nigerians to decide the next leader. It is a sovereign of Nigerians. So Nigerians need to exercise their sovereign right in a judicious way.

“We are neutral in the Nigeria politics. We are just witnesses- watching the process. And at the same time, I want to see a smooth peaceful and orderly  transitional power from this current government to the next government.

“I want to see Nigerian people sovereign rights  fully respected, and their decision fully respected by all stakeholders including international community. We have to respect such”.