The Transition Monitoring Group and Human and Environmental Development Agenda on Saturday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission
to resolve its logistics issues before the new dates announced for the elections.
Dr Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, Chairperson, TMG/HEDA, made the call in a statement in Lagos, after the INEC announced the shift of the polls by a week, with Presidential and National Assembly elections moved from February 16 to February 23.
The governorship and house of assembly, FCT area council elections have also been shifted from March 2 to March 9.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,who announced the postponement, said the decision was taken following a careful review of the implementation of the body’s logistics and operational plan, and the determination to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
He said that the shift was a difficult decision for the commission to take, but was necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of the nation’s democracy.
Akiode-Afolabi, in reaction, expressed disappointment over the polls shift.
“TMG and HEDA express disappointment on the last minute cancellation of the election scheduled by the INEC to take place today.
She said: “We however, hope that INEC would resolve its logistics issues before the newly scheduled dates for the elections.
“We also urge Nigerians not to be discouraged in exercising their civic responsibility to elect the leaders of their choice to various political offices.
“TMG and HEDA were looking forward to a successful observation of the elections as we had committed scarce resources into our planned election observation as our own contribution to national development.
“We cannot continue with the template of poor management of logistics as a reason for the postponement.”
Meanwhile, also reacting, Alhaji Muhammed Musa, the Lagos State Chairman of RTEAN, told NAN that it was better the elections were postponed than having flawed polls that could lead to violence and casualties.
Musa said: “It is better to have elections postponed than have an election with casualties; the postponement is better than violence.
“I appeal to all our members to be peaceful. They should rest today and be prepared for next Saturday. It is better my members don’t work for one full week than to lose any of them in violence.
“All my members should be calm, rest today and keep their Permanent Voter Cards which I have made compulsory for all members to vote next Saturday.
“We are owners, we are not trouble makers. No member should be involved in violence.”
Musa urged INEC to put its house in order and conduct credible, peaceful and acceptable elections that would not lead to violence.