Blames, accusations and condemnations have continued to trail the postponement of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections which was hitherto scheduled for today, Saturday, February 16, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the ‘eleventh hour.’
In about six hours to the commencement of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, INEC announced that the elections would be postponed and rescheduled for logistics reasons.
Nigerian youths have however, condemned the decision of the electoral body, noting that, ‘internal forces’ might have influenced the commission in the postponement.
During an opinion poll conducted by LAGOS TIMES in Lagos State, the youths, who believed that the gesture, was a move to hinder a free and fair election, added that, it was a big shame to Nigeria, as a country in the sight of the international community.
In his words, Rahmon Adeosun, a student, said, “This is scam. Maybe INEC has hidden agenda, because, after getting prepared for about three years and it still lead to postponement, please what can they put in order in one week?
“If it had been postponed earlier, we would believe they needed more time, but it shouldn’t be on election day.”
Also reacting, Sandra Daniels, a fashion designer, said, “the fact that INEC had four years to prepare for this election, yet they waited till the day of the election to announce a postponement is a national embarrassment, and a very good way to rig the election has been created.”
In the same vein, Sarah Bolumade, a trader, who also decried the decision of INEC to postpone the election at the late hour, urged the chairman, Prof. Mamood Yakubu to tender his resignation letter, as he was incompetent to head such a crucial position.
“This is a show of high level of incompetence and a show of shame on the part of INEC. It’s nothing but a big national disgrace.
“I think the INEC chairman should just resign because I don’t think he is capable of handling that position he is,” she added.
Also, John Joseph, a merchandizer, said, “Nigeria’s politics is really disheartening. I woke up this morning to prepare to go out and vote but was surprised to learn that the elections had been postponed.
“I think there are some people in power or even in the opposition, that are working in collaboration with INEC to rig the election and this is a shame.
“A lot of people travelled just to exercise their franchise, of which J am one of them, because I came from Edo State to Lagos to vote since I got my PVC here, but INEC just made a mockery of us with this sudden postponement. They should be ashamed of themselves.”
INEC had rescheduled the Presidential/National Assembly elections to Saturday, 23rd February 2019 and the Governorship/State House of Assembly/Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections to Saturday, 9th March 2019.