Elections postponement: TUC calls for calm

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has called for calm over the postponement of the 2015 general elections by six weeks.

The decision to postpone the poll was announced on Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

In a statement on Sunday by its President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, and Secretary General, Musa Lawal, the TUC said there is no doubt that Nigerians and the world at large feel greatly taken aback by the development, adding: “What with INEC various assurances of the state of their preparedness!”

The TUC said despite the fact that the postponement may be construed as a great set back and capable of truncating the frail peace the country has at the moment, there was the ned to exercise caution in reacting to the development.

It said it was aware will be very difficult to convince the opposition parties and many Nigerians of the sincerity of the act, “yet we sue for peace and appeal to all to take it in good faith in the interest of our country as March 28 and April 11 set for the elections are around the corner.

The statement added: “The Congress appeals to all Nigerians to remain calm and desist from violence and any activity that would compound this development. We believe that God-willing the dates chosen will come soon and the elections will be held. It must be noted that it is better to be late than to be the late. If the postponement will ensure peaceful, free and fair elections devoid of crisis, we are for it. We know that the INEC pandered to the advisory from the security agencies . No doubt security matters must be given utmost consideration. We therefore charge the security agencies to put their acts together to return the country to path of peace devoid of security challenges that may serve as another set of excuses for further postponement. The national institutions must not be trivialized on the alter of politics.

“Finally, we put Prof. Attahiru Jega-led INEC to task to do all it can to ensure that elections are held on the new dates given as we wish to reiterate that the swearing-in date (May 29) is sacrosanct to avoid plunging the country into constitutional crisis. God bless Nigeria.”