President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Daura, Katsina State, expressed disappointment over the postponement of the 2019 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Buhari was in his home state since Thursday for the All Progressives Congress Presidential campaign rally and to vote at the presidential election earlier scheduled for Saturday.
But INEC, in the early hours of Saturday, announced postponement of the elections by another one week, citing to some logistic challenges.
The President in a statement on Saturday said: “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.
“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 urged INEC to ensure that materials already distributed are safe and do not get into wrong hands.
He also charged the electoral umpire to do everything to avoid the lapses that resulted in this unfortunate postponement.
Buhari tasked INEC to ensure a free and fair election on the rescheduled dates.
He added “While I reaffirm my 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.
“I, therefore, appeal 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.
“I have decided to move back to Abuja to ensure that the 14.00 hrs meeting called by INEC with all stakeholders is successful.
On his part, the presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has cautioned INEC on the safety and security of sensitive election materials particularly within the period of the postponement.
Atiku, who spoke with journalists in Yola, Adamawa State, described the postponement as a shocking disaster.
He, however, said he was not discouraged by the postponement of the elections and enjoined Nigerians to exercise patience February 23- date of the election.
He disclosed that the PDP has scheduled an emergency meeting in Abuja to review the situation.
He stated that PDP stakeholders would at the end of the meeting scheduled for Saturday afternoon, device a strategy to combat potential threat against the electoral process and democracy.
Also, chairman of the Adamawa chapter of the PDP, Tahir Shehu, said the postponement of the elections would not discourage Nigerians from electing Atiku Abubakar as the next President.
Shehu said the postponement has cast a dark shadow in the entire electoral process.
He warned security agencies against taking actions that could worsen the security situation in the country. Shehu said he is confident that Nigerians would defend their votes.
“The security agencies should know that Nigerians are now fully charged against any rigging. We are already having serious security situation in the form of Boko Haram,” Shehu said.
The Presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YDP), Prof Kingsley Moghalu, urged Nigerians to remain calm following the postponement of the general elections.
Moghalu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, that INEC’s postponement of the elections signposted the “recycling of failure under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”
He said the general elections were also postponed in 2015 under the PDP government, and that Nigerians should remain calm and resolute to vote for a new kind of leadership.
Moghalu, who expressed disappointment over the development, described it as burdensome with serious implications.
“School children will now face further disruptions to the school calendar. Economic activities will suffer further setbacks.
“And Nigerians who have travelled to various parts of the country to vote or monitor the elections that would have held today now face logistical nightmares.
“I would like to thank the teeming volunteers of my campaign and supporters of our party, the YPP, for their service to our country. Let us ensure this election is a watershed for the liberation of our country from the vice-like grip of incompetence and lack of vision.
“I remain committed to providing our country the needed visionary and competent leadership,” Moghalu added.