President Buhari Expresses Sadness Over INEC’s Postponement Of Elections

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Election Postponement: Be Upfront, Truthful With Nigerians About Your Challenges, CSOs Urge INECMuhammadu Buhari has expressed disappointment over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) postponement of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The two elections were due to hold today (Saturday) but due to INEC’s incompetence the elections were moved to next Saturday February 23 and Saturday March 9, 2019 respectively.

President Buhari, in a statement he personally signed, on Saturday, he said he was deeply saddened ober the postponement stating that INEC had ample time to prepare for the polls.

“I am deeply disappointed that despite the long notice given and our preparations both locally and internationally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the Presidential and National Assembly elections within hours of its commencement”.

The President added that “many Nigerians have traveled to various locations to exercise their right to vote, and international observers are gathered”.

“INEC themselves have given assurances, day after day and almost hour after hour that they are in complete readiness for the elections. We and all our citizens believed them. This administration has ensured that we do not interfere in any way with the work of INEC except to ensure that all funds were released to the commission”.

He called on the Electoral umpire to ensure that”materials already distributed are safe and do not get into wrong hands, but that everything is done to avoid the lapses that resulted in this unfortunate postponement, and ensure a free and fair election on the rescheduled dates”.

While reaffirming his “strong commitment to the independence, neutrality of the electoral umpire and the sanctity of the electoral process and ballot, I urge all political stakeholders and Nigerians to continue to rally round INEC at this trying national moment in our democratic journey”.

The President appealed to “all Nigerians to refrain from all civil disorder and remain peaceful, patriotic and united to ensure that no force or conspiracy derail our democratic development”.

Following the postponement Buhari said he has “decided to move back to Abuja to ensure that the 14.00 hrs meeting called by INEC with all stakeholders is successful”.

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