; Whereas the statement of the September 2018 Joint National Democratic Institute/International Republican Institute Pre-Election Assessment Mission to Nigeria cited remaining challenges and concerns such as delays in finalizing the legal framework for the elections, delayed release of funds for the elections, security threats in the Middle Belt and North East, instances of vote buying, and incitement to violence and disinformation; and Whereas ensuring transparency in electoral preparations and building public confidence in the electoral process is vital for the success of the upcoming elections: Now, therefore, be it