‘Nigeria is capable of conducting credible elections’
President Goodluck Jonathan
yesterday said he is confident that Nigeria will conduct credible
elections despite the postponement of Saturday’s polls.
Mr Jonathan, who
addressed journalists in his home town, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, after
his inability to complete his accreditation due to non-availability of
officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and
voting materials, appealed to Nigerians to bear with the electoral body.
“If we must do
something, it is better to delay and do it well,” he said in reference
to INEC’s postponement of the National Assembly elections till Monday,
April 4.
Mr. Jonathan, who
commended the enthusiasm and commitment displayed by Nigerians who
trooped out and even travelled far to vote in spite of the
restrictions, pleaded with them to show understanding by enduring till
Monday.
“It is part of the
sacrifices required to conduct credible polls,” he said, saying he was
returning to Abuja but would get back to his village again to vote on
Monday.
On his part, Kano
State governor and presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples
Party, Ibrahim Shekarau expressed shock with the postponement. He also
called on Nigerians not to relent but still come out on Monday to cast
their votes.
Former Lagos State
governor and opposition ACN leader, Bola Tinubu however called for the
resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan. Mr. Tinubu, blamed the
problem on alleged interference of Mr. Jonathan’s cronies and federal
government agencies in the activities of the electoral body.
“Nigerians have
the right to vote and be voted for, and if you fail to achieve that
goal, the federal government should resign, period,” he said.
Femi Falana, a
Lagos–based lawyer, described the postponement of the election as a
national disgrace. He said the postponement is a sign that the nation
is still underdeveloped. According to him, importing election material
from another country is embarrassing.
He also doubted whether INEC will be able to pull off the election on the rescheduled date.
The Labour Party
candidate for Ondo South Senatorial District, Boluwaji Kunlere,
yesterday said the postponement of the election was worse than the
annulment of the 1993 election.
Mr Kunlere, who
spoke in Okitipupa Council, said the action of INEC has killed the
morale of Nigerians who came out to vote, noting that only God would
save Nigeria because, according to him, huge resources had been
committed to the election.
Jega did no wrong
While expressing
slight disappointment at the postponement of the election, Project 2011
SwiftCount, a coalition of civil society organisations spoke out in
support of Mr. Jega.
“Project 2011
Swift Count are peeved that today’s election could not be completed as
planned. But we support INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega’s difficult and
courageous decision to postpone the election until Monday. We believe
the decision is in the best interest of the people of Nigeria”, the
group states in a statement. “This had to be a very difficult decision
and it should have been made earlier, but it is the right decision for
Nigeria in the circumstances.”
Civil Right
Congress, a socio-democracy group has also supported the postponement.
President of the group, Shehu Sani, said his group’s observations show
that the elections was marred by problems of late delivery of
materials.
“An election
cannot be credible until it is conclusive and all inclusive. The
announced cancellation of the elections by INEC Chairman is inevitable
but could have been avoided,” he said.
However, he said, it will affect the morale and enthusiasm of Nigerians toward the election.
The Movement for
Democratic Change (MDS) also described the postponement as a “bitter
pill for credible process”. In a statement issued yesterday, the group
noted that “the decision was the best, given the challenges faced by
the commission if the sanctity of the electoral process were to be
protected”.
Politicians in
Bauchi State have condemned the postponement of the elections. The
National Publicity Secretary of ANPP, Comrade Muhammed Sabo said it was
unfortunate that INEC cancelled the elections.
Mr Sabo, who is
also the ANPP Candidate for the House of Representatives for Bauchi
Federal Constituency, described the action by INEC as “disappointing,
embarrassing and strange not only to the country but the country’s
image abroad”.
He said that the
postponement of the elections raised serious and critical questions on
whether Mr. Jega is fully prepared, determined, transparent and
credible to conduct free and fair elections in the country.
In his reaction, Bashir Othman Tofa of the ANPP said, “The
government must, as a matter of urgency, institute a high-powered
commission of inquiry into this shameful outing of the INEC. Those
found responsible, no matter how highly placed, must suffer the
consequences. Is this the new INEC that will ensure credible elections?
Our hopes are misplaced and our confidence shattered.”
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