President Buhari
Following Saturday’s false start, Nigerians will this weekend make a second attempt at electing a new President and National Assembly members for the next four years.
More than 80 million voters across Africa’s most populous nation were to cast their votes in the election which is the sixth since military rule ended there, 20 years ago.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed it about five hours to the opening of polls, citing logistical and operational challenges.
A statement issued by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the decision was arrived at after a “careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan” for a credible election.
In view of the change of date for the election, the governorship, State House of Assembly and federal capital territory area council election have been rescheduled to March 9, 2019.
This, the statement said, would afford the commission the opportunity to address identified challenges it has encountered in order to maintain the quality of the country’s elections.
“This was a difficult decision for the commission to take, but necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy”, the statement said.
The decision did not go down well with Nigerians as many of whom were said to have travelled across various parts of the country and from abroad to vote, took to social media to express their disappointment.
Some were reportedly in queues when the announcement was made while food vendors who had planned to cash in on the election were left stranded, according to reports from local media outlets.
The forerunners of the over ’70 man’ presidential race; incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have since expressed their disappointment through statements.
They have also urged for calm amongst their supporters and have called on the INEC to get their acts together and ensure that Saturday’s election comes off as scheduled.
Meanwhile, heads of the international election observation missions and the United Nations present in Nigeria have called for calm in Nigeria and support the INEC to implement its new timeline.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the foreign observers, urged INEC to utilise the time to finalise all preparations and ensure that the new election dates are strictly adhered to.
“We encourage INEC to provide regular updates and information to the public on its preparations in the coming days and weeks to enhance confidence and trust in the process.”
“As we continue to closely observe preparations across the country, we stand in solidarity with the people of Nigeria in their desire for credible and peaceful elections,” the statement said.
BY TIMES REPORTER
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