Reactions amidst postponement of Elections by INEC

In the early hours of today, the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through the chairman Mahmood Yakubu announced the postponement of the Presidential and house of Assembly elections scheduled for today.

The electoral body made this known in a press conference by 3 AM today. The reason for this outcome was pegged on faults in logistics and operational planning.

The Presidential, Vice Presidential and House of Assembly elections have consequently been postponed to 23rd February 2019, one week from today.

The Governorship, State House of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections have also been postponed to 9th March, 2019.

Since the announcement, there has been a an uproar of reactions by Nigerians all over the country. Both electorates and politicians have given their opinions on the matter.

Here’s the remarks of presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar, Fela Durotoye and Kingsley Moghalu on their twitter handles:

This postponement is obviously a case of the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob. By instigating this postponement, the Buhari administration hopes to disenfranchise the Nigerian electorate in order to ensure that turn out is low on the rescheduled date.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) February 16, 2019

Please come out to vote on Saturday, 23 February and Saturday, 9 March respectively. Frustrate those who do not want this election to hold by coming out in very large numbers. That is the best antidote to their plans.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) February 16, 2019

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While we may be very disappointed with @inecnigeria preparation for the Presidential elections, we will not be discouraged.
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We are coming!
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It’s time for the #NewNigeria to emerge #NigeriaDesides2019 pic.twitter.com/QWuxIBQmws

— FelaDUROTOYE (@feladurotoye) February 16, 2019

“INEC’s Postponement of the Elections Signposts the Recycling of Failure Under the APC and PDP, But…” by Kingsley Moghalu https://t.co/2Kp43fOawG

— Kingsley Moghalu (@MoghaluKingsley) February 16, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari also on a twitter thread, expressed his disappointment and also urged Nigerians to stay calm.

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.

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) February 16, 2019

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.

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) February 16, 2019

The international observers were also personally briefed by the INEC chairman earlier today.

Breaking News
2019: #INEC briefs International Observers on reasons for rescheduling General Elections. pic.twitter.com/TfaOahCkGX

— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 16, 2019

Nigerian Music act Davido also gave his take in a twitter post with the photo of the INEC elections postponement document. He captioned it thus: “The last President did the same no cause for alarm. To God be the glory…Delay is not denial”

The last President did the same no cause for alarm ? To God be the glory .. Delay is not denial pic.twitter.com/3HkwjGP5jM

— Davido (@davido) February 16, 2019

We will keep you updated on further happenings.

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