President Muhammadu Buhari has advised politicians who lost out during the recent party primaries in the country to toe the path of honour and pursue their grievances in line with laid down procedures to avoid unnecessary tension.

The president said as far as the present administration is concerned, the era of lack of transparency and accountability is over.

The president spoke at the closing session of a three-day conference on religious harmony in Nigeria, organised by the Interfaith Initiative for Peace (IIP).

President Buhari’s admonition came just as religious leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Mohammed Saidu Abubakar, and Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, asked security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure fairness and neutrality in their conduct before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

Buhari who narrated his political experiences in his quest for the presidency, stated that the often held belief that religious and ethnic affinity give one advantage has never worked for him.

While Speaking on the expectations of Nigerians for a free and fair 2019 general elections, President Buhari said the era of lack of transparency and accountability is over.

Some dignitaries in attendance were former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon and General Abdulasami Abubakar; Primate of the Anglican Church, Nicholas Okoh; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.