Hottestgistnaija.com
It was with a sad heart that the Gubernatorial candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, just as other hapless Nigerians, received the news of the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections (earlier fixed for 16th February) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
We have never had it this bad in the chequered history of our national elections. We thought that we were going to have a seamless process this time around; an improvement on a similar (though less toxic) postponement in 2015, but the deprecable action of the current electoral umpire – postponing the elections just few hours to voting – is unfortunate and most condemnable.
Nigerians have had to put themselves through sacrifices and diverse inconveniences, preparatory to the elections but with this display of gross inefficiency by INEC, the huge logistical and financial waste is coming at humongous cost to all stakeholders in the electoral process and the generality of Nigerians.
For a commission that had ample time to prepare ahead, the midnight postponement is in bad taste and a sad commentary on the centre government – that should take the bigger blame for it’s culpability and failure to prevent this national embarrassment; when indeed institutions of state must be progressively built to fulfill their constitutional obligations.
For us in Ogun state and the ADC particularly, we are well prepared for the elections as our people were ready to go out and exercise their franchise before the abrupt stop of the show. Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka is using this medium to salute the effort, zeal and sacrifice of the Ogun electorate that were so eager to put an end to maladministration by voting for credible candidates in these elections.
The ADC flagbearer is urging citizens of Ogun State to remain focused on conscientious voting as they approach the elections on the rescheduled dates as announced by INEC. Ogun people should not be deterred but persevere and return to the polls; more determined to put in place people-centred leadership.
Finally, while accepting the official explainations for postponement in good faith, GNI is urging the Mahmood Yaqubu led INEC to put its act together and deliver free, fair and credible elections on 23rd February and 9th March respectively.
Doing this will not only redeem the commission’s suspect image but it will put our nation back on the path of sustained democratic progress.
(Signed)
‘Bolaji Adeniji
Director of Media & Publicity
For: Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI)
