The All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has expressed disappointment over the postponement of the presidential and national assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.


Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed on Saturday, said though, he acknowledged the enormity of the logistical challenge that elections poses to INEC, he was still pained that the Commission could not meet this challenge within the time allotted.

He, however, urged Nigerians who intended to vote to maintain their commitment and not be discouraged by the latest development.


He said, “Do not allow this delay to deter you from the expression of your democratic rights. What you had set your mind to do on February 16, keep your mind and heart on for February 23.

“We are also perplexed that INEC literally waited so late in the day to make known the obstacles preventing it from keeping faith to the election schedule. INEC could have and should have given the nation more ample and earlier warning. This could have perhaps lessened the pervasive disappointment that we all now feel. It also would have helped people better order their steps”.

“As the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress and simply as a Nigerian, I must express my profound concern and dissatisfaction with the unexpected, late hour postponement of the presidential and national assembly elections by INEC. According to INEC, the one-week postponement of the election from February 16 to February 23 was compelled by logistical difficulties encountered by the commission in transporting essential election material to polling in various parts of the country.


“While we appreciate the enormity of the logistical challenge that elections in a vast nation like ours poses to INEC, we are still pained that the Commission could not meet this challenge within the time allotted. We are also perplexed that INEC literally waited so late in the day to make known the obstacles preventing it from keeping faith to the election schedule. INEC could have and should have given the nation more ample and earlier warning. This could have perhaps lessened the pervasive disappointment that we all now feel. It also would have helped people better order their steps today.

“We have reports of eager voters rising early to leave their homes to cast their ballots only to be told upon arriving at their appointed polling stations that the election had been postponed. This should not have happened for it could well discourage people from coming out when the election takes place. Thus, we heartily commend those people for coming out in exercise of their fundamental rights and duties as citizen voters, who vote by vote, seek to build and perfect our democracy. For each voter is in part an architect and each one of your votes is a brick by which, when lain together, shall construct a strong democracy in such a way that it shall forever stand and endure. Thus, we appeal to all who actually came out to vote and to those who intended to vote today, to maintain your commitment. Do not allow this delay to deter you from the expression of your democratic rights. What you had set your mind to do on February 16, keep your mind and heart on for February 23.

“INEC has stated the reason for the delay and has expressed regret over the inconveniences it has caused. We must take INEC’s statement at face value and hold to the belief that INEC understands even more than ever the sober and grave responsibility it has to our nation and our democracy. INEC can only properly discharge that responsibility by conducting free and fair elections. While we cannot go back to repair what did or did not happen to cause this postponement, we all must encourage INEC to do all that is necessary so voting can smoothly proceed on February 23. Whatever our political affiliation, we must encourage INEC to overcome the difficulties in order to rise to this most important occasion. INEC must commit itself more than ever before to perform to its utmost so that these elections will be remembered as a free and fair exercise consonant with the best of international standards.



“In the end, elections must be held in such a manner that every vote carries the same weight and no vote is minimized because elections took place much earlier or later in one place than in another. Thus, it is better to experience a slight delay to conduct the elections properly rather than to conduct the elections piecemeal and uneven fashion. No one will absolve INEC if such a fate befalls this all-important election. The electoral body must use the one-week extension mend its logistics gaps and lapses. This delay has clearly provoked significant anger and disappointment among the people. The voters were ready and INEC should have been equally as prepared and ready as the voters. Yet, we ask that the people contain their anger and remain calm. Let no one be tempted to breach the peace because of this delay.

“In the greater scheme of things, a one-week delay is not overly burdensome when compared to the importance of conduct of free and just elections in the establishment of representative democracy and good governance in our land. Please, persevere just a bit longer to ensure that the elections on February 23 truly reflect the will of the people. Whatever obstacles may come, be they large or small, let us show the world the Nigerian people will not be deterred from realizing the democracy for which we have fought and sacrificed so long and so hard to achieve.”


http://dailypost.ng/2019/02/16/nigeria-decides-tinubu-breaks-silence-postponement-election-tells-nigerians/

Tinubu stop pretending... Your rigging plan will not work.

lol he has been busy all day mopping up all sensitive INEC Materials for his people and now that it's secure he can talk

Jagaban we are disappointed

Hope inec keeps to the 23rd as promised

Minions in the political corridors.

JAGABAN!

SalamRushdie:
lol

Tinubu is not the cause of the problem you are passing tru personally

You hates him coz it’s not from your zone

As if you weren't planning on rigging the election in favor of your useless party APC

Foreigners who have heard what happened today would just be laughing at us.

More ample time for permutations and manipulations

NaijaRoyalty:
As if you weren't planning on rigging the election

Every politician rigs

So don’t claim innocent

Come 2023
We will massively vote Buhari

pDp Jonze on this One

sarrki:


Tinubu is not the cause of the problem you are passing tru personally

You hates him coz it’s not from your zone

no he is not the source but he is supporting Buhari who is a problem I have

sarrki:


Every politician rigs

So don’t claim innocent

You're shameless

SalamRushdie:


no he is not the source but he is supporting Buhari who is a problem I have

Anyone can support who ever he likes

That’s why we enjoy freedom of speech

You hate every single politician from the south West

NaijaRoyalty:


You're shameless

Your statement shows you lack morals

sarrki:


Your statement shows you lack morals

Criminals deserve no respect

Tinubu is a criminal .. that's why Ogun state people almost finished him and buhari with stone the other day

'As the national leader, ogbeni there is no such position in the APC constitution. Buhari is the only national leader we know

In Ogun State people's voice "Tinubu Ole"

SalamRushdie:
lol he has been busy all day mopping up all sensitive INEC Materials for his people and now that it's secure he can talk

my dear be civil for once

Him eye go soon clear

sarrki:


Anyone can support who ever he likes

That’s why we enjoy freedom of speech

You hate every single politician from the south West

so how come I don't hate you and Osinbanjo

bamidelee:

my dear be civil for once

Okay Sir

SalamRushdie:


so how come I don't hate you and Osinbanjo

We are friends here

That’s why

Also I am your inlaw

So he just woke up from sleep?

Continue Breaking silence there until Atiku will be announced winner!

sarrki:


Tinubu is not the cause of the problem you are passing tru personally

You hates him coz it’s not from your zone

U mean u hate him and he is not. Hum English is not by force oo

smelly mouth frog eye




should take several seats


rubbish

no way he's not in on this

The only victory that will be widely accepted and Jubilated is the victory of only one man among many, his name is Atiku Abubakar. Chai Nigeria will be painted blue and green that day, people will celebrate like its Christmas. Buhari leave us alone terrorist. Go back home and rest mbok.

Jagaban awon riggers! God punish your smelling mouth dia