Buhari speaks on polls shift, says “I’m deeply disappointed”
Nigeria’s President and candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 presidential election in the country, Muhammadu Buhari, came out of his shock Saturday evening with a statement he personally signed and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER.
In the statement President said he was deeply that despite the long notice given and full preparations both locally and internationally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the elections within hours to commencement.
He regretted that many Nigerians had travelled to various locations to exercise their right to vote just as international observers had gathered, adding that even INEC itself had given assurances of its complete readiness and that it was believed by all.
The President exonerated its administration of blame as, according to him, it ensured noninterference in any away with the work of INEC except to ensure that all funds were released to the commission.
“We now urge INEC to ensure not only that materials already distributed are safe and do not get into wrong hands, but that everything is done to avoid the lapses that resulted in this unfortunate postponement, and ensure a free and fair election on the rescheduled dates,” President Buhari said.
The President, who was already in Daura ready to cast his vote, spoke just as some people were saying that the President shifted the polls for fear of losing.
Many other Nigerian watchers of events as they unfolded however lampooned such claims saying it was a claim unverifiable that Buhari had hands in the polls shift.
One of them said: “Under PDP/Jonathan administration, Presidency actually and openly forced INEC to postpone elections of 2015 by six weeks. But the latest development of 2019 polls shift is nothing like that because, INEC itself considered it necessary without consulting anybody, not even the presidency, to postpone the elections due to election sensitive materials hijack by armed men said to be working for opposition PDP, despite their cries of APC planning to rig with INEC and peace accord they both signed.”
In the President’s statement he said: “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.
“Many Nigerians have traveled to various locations to exercise their right to vote, and international observers are gathered.
“INEC themselves have given assurances, day after day and almost hour after hour that they are in complete readiness for the elections. We and all our citizens believed them.
“This administration has ensured that we do not interfere in any way with the work of INEC except to ensure that all funds were released to the commission.
“We now urge INEC to ensure not only that materials already distributed are safe and do not get into wrong hands, but that everything is done to avoid the lapses that resulted in this unfortunate postponement, and ensure a free and fair election on the rescheduled dates.
“While I reaffirm my strong commitment to the independence, neutrality of the electoral umpire and the sanctity of the electoral process and ballot, I urge all political stakeholders and Nigerians to continue to rally round INEC at this trying national moment in our democratic journey.
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.
“I have decided to move back to Abuja to ensure that the 14.00 hrs meeting called by INEC with all stakeholders is successful.”
