Two days after postponed polls… Calls for calm reign

Many seem to be getting over the initial shock of the postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections. Calls for calm reigned yesterday, report Grace Obike, Abuja, Okodili Ndidi, Owerri, Chris Oji, Enugu and Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi.

Orientation agency promises peaceful polls

National Orientation Agency (NOA) Director-General Dr Garba Abari yesterday said the Federal Government would ensure peaceful polls.

Dr. Abari said Nigerians, irrespective of political persuasions, must toe the path of peace in the remaining days leading up to the rescheduled elections.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, he warned politicians against sponsoring violence.

His words: “Some Nigerians have been making arrangements to temporarily relocate from their places of normal residence before the elections and return after the elections to avoid harm. This is a sad commentary unbecoming of Africa’s largest democracy.

“It is disturbing that the polity has been sufficiently heated up by hate speech, fake news and mud-slinging to instill fear of possible violence in some parts of the country during the forthcoming 2019 General Elections.

“In the light of the very unsettling and highly combustible statements credited to politicians in recent weeks, I call on our politicians, across all divides, to desist from making utterances capable of inciting violence in an already charged polity. I also wish to remind our politicians that they will certainly be held accountable for any acts of violence traceable to them, whether they are in power or out of power; if not immediately, then ultimately. No one is above the law, therefore, politicians should be properly guided and do the right thing at all times.

“I also appeal to the youth to mark any politician who attempts to incite them to violence and have nothing to do with them because such politician is the enemy of their future. No politician will ever send his own child to engage in political violence because they know the destructive effects of violence on both the perpetrator and the victim.

“It is noteworthy and commendable that the security agencies have repeatedly assured Nigerians of their commitment to keeping lives and property safe at all times and particularly during the coming elections. Let me therefore urge Nigerians to keep the faith in the ability and commitment of our security agencies to ensure that the electorates turn out and cast their votes without fear of molestation.”

Okorocha urges Nigerians to be patriotic

All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged Nigerians to show patriotism over the postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Imo governor noted that though the postponement was regrettable, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), like every other institution could have challenges.

Okorocha said: “APC, as the ruling party, is ready for elections any day and any time. No political party should be blamed for the postponement, especially when it is remembered that this is not the first time such development could take place in the nation’s elections.

“The postponement of the election by INEC is an unfortunate development and also regrettable. But, it is important to note that no political party should be blamed for the postponement, but rather on the challenges of INEC. I only want to urge INEC to use the week of postponement to resolve all the challenges it has and ensure that Nigerians have smooth, free and fair elections.

“APC as the ruling Party is ready for the elections and it will be absurd to accuse the ruling Party of being responsible for the Postponement. I call on all Nigerians to show patriotism by maintaining peace and understanding at this trial time in our democratic growth.”

Akeredolu appeals for calm

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has called on the people of the state to remain calm and get prepared to exercise their civic responsibility on February 23.

Speaking at his countryhome, Owo, Akeredolu said the postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections by INEC was painful.

The governor, however, said the postponement must be taken with calmness and renewed determination to turnout better for the elections on the new dates.

He said: “We have suffered a lot of inconveniences, let us turn it to weekend of rest particularly with our family.”

While regretting that citizens were already set to have the elections held on the earlier dates,  Akeredolu said the electoral body must have been overwhelmed by unforeseen circumstances, such as its inability to deliver electoral materials to all the needed places and replacement of damaged essentials materials and equipment in its offices burnt in parts of the country.

“It is not an election that can be staggered, It is a national election, it has to be held on one day. If there are areas where all needed election materials are not available, INEC has no option than to postpone until it is sure the materials are there”, he said.

Akeredolu said he had no reason to doubt the electoral body on its reasons for shifting forward the dates of the elections which it announced after it had carefully reviewed the implementation of its logistics and operational plans for the elections but urged the people to get prepared to troop out en-masse next week to exercise their franchise.

Ohanaeze to Igbo returnees: exercise patience till Saturday

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged the Igbo who traveled home to vote in the rescheduled presidential and National Assembly elections to stay back and vote on February 23.

The president general of the organisation, Chief Nnia Nwodo, in a statement, said: “My dear brothers and sisters, I am aware of the immense hardship the sudden postponement of the 16th February, 2019 election has brought on all of us. This I know is one of the prices we can be called upon to make for independence.  After all, freedom is never secured on a platter of gold. It is a struggle. This is our struggle.

“I therefore urge all Ndigbo who relocated for the purpose of the election to remain in their places and not travel back to their stations, but wait or ensure they come back if they travel, for the Saturday, 23rd February election. A few days wait is better than another four years of uncertainty, hardship and slavery. May the Almighty God safeguard and guide you as you labour to fulfill our collective agreement.”

Oyetola urges calm in Osun

Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola has urged citizens to remain calm and peaceful without losing interest in the electoral process.

In a reaction to the last-minute postponement of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the governor implored the people to turn out in a large number on Saturday.

The governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Adeniyi Adesina, said: “Let all citizens of State of Osun remain calm and peaceful in spite of the disappointment of the one-week postponement of the general elections.

“I implore our people not to lose interest in the electoral process as a result of this temporary setback.

“All eligible voters should not be deterred but turn out en masse on February 23 and March 9 to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.

“We should continue to have confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the electoral agency’s ability to conduct credible, free, fair and transparent elections as promised by its chair, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.”

‘Give INEC a second chance’

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has urged the people of the state and Nigerians to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a second chance.

The governor said Nigerians should exercise patience with INEC and accept the one week extension of polls in good faith.

Ortom described the development as unfortunate, saying for INEC to postpone the elections it took more than three years to plan a few hours to the commencement of voting was a rape of democracy.

He stated that the people of the region were prepared for free, fair, credible and transparent elections that would usher in leaders who can anchor the country’s democracy on the rule of law.

He urged eligible voters in Benue and other parts of the country not to be discouraged by the sudden shift in the election dates and remain resolute until the “APC government of impunity is dethroned through the ballot”.

Christian body urges Nigerians to remain calm, prayerful

The Christian Press Association of Nigeria (CPAN) has pleaded with Nigerians to remain calm and prayerful for successful polls, in spite of elections postponement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement yesterday in Lagos, President of CPAN Bola Adewara, said the sudden postponement of the General Elections, though not anticipated, was the will of God.

“Though INEC has attributed the postponement to logistics challenge and sabotage of the commission’s efforts, however, it was shocking that the postponement came just few hours to the elections,’’ Adewara said

He said the financial costs of the postponement were incalculable as some Nigerians had left their jobs, businesses and homes to travel to cast their votes.

“Some even shifted weddings, burials and other programmes slated for Feb. 16, to Feb. 23, before the postponement was announced,’’ he said.

CPAN said in spite of all these, Nigerians should take it in good faith, remain calm and very prayerful; and let God’s will be done.

“We must come out en mass and vote the candidates of our choice on Feb. 23 and March 9. We must never be discouraged and must never disenfranchise ourselves by refusing to participate in the elections.

“It is through voting that the future of our country will be defined and we will also exercise our civic duties.

“What we had set our minds on to do on Feb. 16, must not change, let us display it on Feb. 23 and March 9, respectively,’’ the CPAN helmsman said.

Catholic cleric asks Nigerians to forgive INEC

Rev. Fr. Eugene Odo, the Cathedral Administrator of Nsukka Catholic Diocese, has urged Nigerians not to be hard on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for postponing the presidential election.

Odo while giving his homily on Sunday at St Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral Nsuka noted that INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu was human and bound to fail in some of his promises.

“Nigerians are expressing disappointment and surprise as if Yakubu is God who will never fail. A human being will make promises but at the eleventh hour he will fail you because he is not God,’’ he stressed.

He urged Nigerians to only trust in God who would not disappoint or fail them in His promises.

“Those that have trusted in God right from ages had no disappointment because God fulfilled all His promises to them.

“What happened on Saturday when INEC postponed the presidential and national assembly election in the country at the last minute, should teach us a lesson that human beings can fail but God cannot.

“Just as INEC failed Nigerians on Feb. 16, so also those who trust in their wealth, money, connections, positions and education will suffer disappointment on the last day, as all of them will fail.

The cleric however expressed concern with the inconveniences that the last minute postponement may have caused many Nigerians.

“Many people closed their businesses and travelled to their home towns so as to cast their votes, but only to wake up to hear that the election had been postponed.

“Some intending couples fixed their wedding on Feb. 16 and were forced to shift it to Feb. 23, now, the wedding didn’t hold and will not hold on Feb. 23 either.

“INEC should ensure that the presidential election holds on Feb. 23 and governorship on March 9, as any other postponement will throw the country into bigger confusion,’’ he said.

INEC explanations cogent, but…, says Adamu

Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC-Nasarawa West) has said the explanations offered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the postponement of Presidential and National Assembly elections are cogent, but untimely.

Adamu, a former two-term governor of Nasarawa State and APC senatorial candidate, stated this while reacting to the reasons tendered by INEC for shifting the election, on Sunday in Keffi.

According to him, INEC ordinary should have been aware before 12 midnight on Friday that the elections are having some challenges.

“From the day INEC conducted the last general elections, they know constitutionally the day they are going to conduct next elections.

“I am saddened by the postponement of elections because up till midnight of Friday I was under the impression that the election will hold on Saturday.

“Mine is more than an ordinary interest because I am a candidate in the election and i know the trauma of campaign and trauma of expectations that accompanied candidate in an elections like this,” he said.

The former governor noted that the INEC chairman assured the nation of the polls up to the hour before the announcement for the postponement was made, advising the commission to respect time because time is of essence in anything we do.

The lawmaker also urged INEC to take lessons and put appropriate measures to avoid the reoccurrence of what happened, saying “We hope that the assurance given by INEC Chairman will be realised.

“We can be seen not to be growing with this institution and we must be seen to make difference and learn lessons from one episode to the next.

“When or if we don’t it is a sign of failure and we hope we don’t see another postponement of elections,” Adamu said.

He appealed to all candidates who are contesting and stakeholders to bear the lapses, forge ahead and support the electoral umpire.

“The reality is that the explanation that we are receiving from INEC are convincing enough, yet it did not come on time. The timing of the explanation is untimely because time is of essence in anything that we do,” said the APC senatorial flag bearer.

He said he was disappointed in the INEC chairman whom he said had subjected Nigerians to untold hardship, saying the people are angry and even those who were sympathizing with the president would be forced to change their minds.

Group urges Nigerians to sue INEC

The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has urged Nigerians who suffered losses or hardships because of the elections postponement of the polls to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

CASER Executive Director Frank Tietie made the call yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to Tietie, whether INEC postponed the elections in national interest or not, it is immaterial to Nigerians who suffered losses and untold hardships as a result of the poll shift.

He said such legal actions would to teach INEC and other institutions or agencies of government a lesson to be serious and not take citizens for granted.

“Furthermore, that INEC and the government have failed to give sufficient explanation with apology that is generally satisfactory is unacceptable.

“Therefore, this action of INEC must be visited with an unprecedented exemplary damages awarded by the courts against the commission and possibly the government, on account of the unnecessary hardships Nigerians had to go through before they could cast their votes.

“CASER urges Nigerians not to accept such dereliction of official state duty,” he stressed.

Tietie said that CASER, through its Strategic Public Interest Litigation Secretariat, would connect with potential litigants with competent spirited lawyers for the purpose of ensuring justice for citizens who suffered from the postponement.