YIAGA AFRICA, a Civil Society Organisation, says postponement of the general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission is a test of the nation’s patriotism and resilience.
Samson Itodo, Executive Director of the group in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, noted that the news of the postponement was received with a deep sense of disappointment.
Itodo said the postponement was without doubt, an indication that INEC might have overestimated its own capabilities or underrated the challenges associated with the management of election logistics.
He said: “While the anxiety and anger over the postponement is understandable and expected, we understand that the decision is in the interest of the country.
“INEC should without any further delay provide detailed information on the nature and degree of the logistical challenges that occasion the postponement.
“This is in addition to an elaborate logistical plan for the rescheduled elections and security of the exposed election materials.
“INEC needs to improve its communication and public engagement to give assurances to Nigerians.”
Itodo said the citizenry deserved to be properly informed and reassured that such postponements would not remain a permanent feature of Nigeria’s electoral process.
He urged Nigerian citizens and registered voters in particular to remain calm and exercise restraint as INEC work towards the new dates.
He also urged citizens to keep faith with the process and remain hopeful that the rescheduled election would meet all standards of credible election.
Itodo called on all registered voters to come out massively and vote for the candidates of their choice on the new dates.
He encouraged all stakeholders to take advantage of the window to provide additional voter education and mobilise the electorate to exercise their franchise.
Itodo called on all political party actors to show understanding and exercise patience and urged them to stay away from making allegations, spreading rumours and hate speech to avert overheating the polity.
He said: “We implore our friends and partners from the international community, foreign and fellow domestic observers to show understanding and empathy as Nigeria moves towards the proposed dates for the 2019 elections.
“The role of the media in maintaining calm, dowsing suspicion and preventing the spread of fake news cannot be over emphasized.”
Itodo pleaded with the media to continue to disseminate messages and information that would bring greater stability in Nigeria.
He encouraged security agencies to remain vigilant and proactive to diffuse any crises that may emanate as a result of the postponement.
He said: “YIAGA Africa Watching The Vote will continue to provide the most timely and accurate information on the conduct of the election will give an independent estimate of the officially announced presidential election result.”
He said the group is ready to deploy its 3,906 observers to all the 774 Local Government Areas of the country.
He said the organisation would continue to ensure that Nigerian elections were conducted in transparent, credible and peaceful manner.
Trending
- Queues: NNPC says cause of tightness in fuel supply resolved
- LG polls: Oyo declares Friday half working day
- Ondo 2024: Ajayi emerges PDP governorship candidate
- ‘Dey play,’ Nigerians mock prophet who claims world ends today
- Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Demolition for first 3km begins Saturday
- Court subpoenas Lagos prison controller over disobedience to order
- Ondo poll: You’ll be successful tomorrow, Ganduje tells Jimoh Ibrahim, others
- Court sets aside arrest warrant against Fubara’s Chief of Staff