INEC: POLLS’ POSTPONEMENT NOT POLITICALLY INFLUENCED
warning. This could have perhaps lessened the pervasive disappointment that we all now feel. It also would have helped people better order their steps.”
Tinubu said, “We appeal to all who actually came out to vote and to those who intended to vote today, to maintain your commitment. Do not allow this delay to deter you from the expression of your democratic rights. What you had set your mind to do on February 16, keep your mind and heart on for February 23.
“INEC has stated the reason for the delay and has expressed regret over the inconveniences it has caused. We must take INEC’s statement at face value and hold to the belief that INEC understands even more than ever the sober and grave responsibility it has to our nation and our democracy. INEC can only properly discharge that responsibility by conducting free and fair elections. While we cannot go back to repair what did or did not happen to cause this postponement, we all must encourage INEC to do all that is necessary so voting can smoothly proceed on February 23.”
INEC lacks capacity, says APC Campaign Council
The Presidential Campaign Council of APC deplored the last-minute postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections, saying INEC has displayed lack of capacity to deliver. A statement by its Director of Strategic Campaign Communication, Festus Keyamo, said the council was disappointed by the shift of the poll.
The statement titled “We condemn the postponement of the elections, but urge our teeming supporters to be patient and determined,” said, “We have just received with great disappointment and disillusionment the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its decision to postpone the Presidential/National Assembly and Gubernatorial/House of Assembly Elections to Saturday, February 23, 2019 and Saturday, March 9, 2019, respectively.
“We condemn and deprecate this tardiness of the electoral umpire in the strongest terms possible. President Muhammadu Buhari had since cooperated fully with INEC by ensuring everything it demanded to conduct free and fair elections were promptly made available to it. This news is therefore a huge disappointment to us and to our teeming supporters nationwide and around the world, many of whom have come into the country to exercise their franchise.
“We do not want to be forced to a situation of announcing our total loss of confidence in INEC, because we know where that would leave our democracy.”
NBA: we’re confounded The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said it was baffled and disappointed by the poll shift by INEC “in the wee hours” of the morning.
“We are confounded by the postponement, considering the serial assurances that INEC had, prior to this morning, given of its preparedness for the conduct of the elections; INEC had also expressly assured that postponement of the elections was not howsoever in contemplation. Our disappointment is compounded by the fact that none of the reasons that INEC has proffered justifies the postponement; all the reasons, with some diligence, could have been remediated,” NBA stated.
It added, “It was particularly unkind for INEC to announce the postponement only hours to the opening of the polls for the national elections today, knowing as we all do that most Nigerians register for elections in their states of origin and had travelled there from their various stations to exercise their civic rights. The cost in man-hours, resources and inconveniences cannot be readily quantified not to mention the risk to personal safety.
“Worse, we run the risk that some who may have to return to their work stations early next week may not be able to travel again for the rescheduled polls next weekend. We read the INEC announcement and listened to its broadcast to hear how INEC intends to mitigate that possibility and nothing was said in that regard.
“INEC needs to be reminded that a free, fair and credible election starts with the preparations therefor by the Electoral Commission. If the Commission is unable to exercise its functions without avoidable glitches, it is difficult to see how it could justifiably impose sanctions on infracting political parties who give excuses for their infractions similar to the ones that INEC has given today for the postponement of the elections. Regulatory authorities such as INEC require discipline and foresightedness to carry out their functions. It is only by imbibing those twin virtues, amongst others, and showing same by conduct that they can justifiably sanction infracting parties over whom they exercise regulatory control.
“NBA hopes that the new dates of 23 February 2019 and 09 March 2019 for the rescheduled elections are sacrosanct and the preparations therefor will be foolproof and glitch-free.”
NBA urged the electorate “not to give up or tire out. We must give INEC the benefit of the doubt and turn out in our numbers to vote for the parties of our choice on the rescheduled dates for the elections.” CSO Coalition urges Nigerians to remain steadfast A coalition of civil society groups, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, asked the electorate to be more than determined to exercise their franchise to elect new leaders, despite the rescheduling of the elections. It urged the voters, especially those who are civil servants and traders that travelled home to cast their votes, not to be disillusioned or exhibit apathy towards the elections.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday in Abuja at the Situation Room Election Hub at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, the Convener, Clement Nwankwo, said, “We condemn in the strongest terms the treatment of National Youth Corp members. The heart-breaking pictures of these brave young men and women, sleeping in open fields without any arrangement for their security and safety is disappointing. We call on INEC and indeed all Nigerians to reach out to these youths and provide whatever support necessary to keep them fed and safe.”
ACF condemns postponement The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) condemned the waste of resources and inconveniences occasioned by the postponement of Saturday's elections. Spokesman of the forum, Muhammad Ibrahim, in a statement on Saturday said although the ACF was not privy to the nature of the challenges INEC faced, it maintained that the postponement should have been announced in good time to avoid the waste of resources and time incurred by stakeholders.
ACF stated, “The ACF learned with regret the INEC’s decision to re-schedule the elections slated for 16th February and 2nd March 2019, citing logistic challenges as the main reasons for the postponement.
“ACF appreciates the concern raised by INEC regarding its logistic preparation and its constitutional power to reschedule the elections for the express purpose of ensuring credible, free and fair elections that would meet universal acceptance.
“However, though ACF is not privy to the nature of the challenges and the time INEC noticed them, the forum thinks the shift should have been done earlier in order to reduce cost and inconveniences for all the parties concerned.”
It said, “The earlier assurances given to Nigerians by INEC that it would deliver on credible, free and fair elections on schedule, heightened the enthusiasm of the people to look forward to the scheduled 2019 general elections.
"The political parties and NGOs embarked on vigorous campaigns and sensitization programs on the need to a free and fair elections. Foreign and domestic election observers mobilised themselves to participate in today's elections process.
“Unfortunately, five hours to the scheduled elections the same INEC has reversed itself, citing logistic challenges.
"ACF and indeed all Nigerians have no option but to accept the reasons advanced by INEC and to have faith that it will live up to its promise to hold the re-scheduled elections on the 23rd February and 9th March 2019The forum called for calm, restraint and prayers for the peaceful conduct of the elections.
“It is only our collective resolve to respect the tenets of democracy that will strengthen our unity and peaceful coexistence," the statement added.