Election Postponement: Presidential Candidates React

Following the abrupt postponement of the Presidential elections at the early hours of this morning, nigerians have had all sorts of reactions and the presidential candidates are not left out. From President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC presidential Candidate to Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate and a few others.

President Muhammadu Buhari said “I 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.”  President Buhari also enjoined nigerians to be calm as he said ”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.”

Presidential Candidate of  the PDP, Atiku Abubakar blamed the Buhari administration for the postponement as he said ”This postponement is obviously a case of the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob. By instigating this postponement, the Buhari administration hopes to disenfranchise the Nigerian electorate in order to ensure that turn out is low on the rescheduled date.” He also asked Nigerians to maintain the peace and be law abiding in these trying times.

Other candidates also reacted like Kingsley Moghalu, presidential candidate for Young Progressives Party (YPP) who said ”These postponements are further signposts of the incompetence of the APC administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and they represent the recycling of the failures of the past PDP governments. The general elections were also postponed in 2015 under the PDP government.”

Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, presidential candidate of the People’s Trust (PT), also added his own voice to the situation on ground, while speaking this morning, condemned the hasty decision by INEC without consultations with the critical stakeholders said he did not see how the postponement will benefit President Buhari who is the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Independent Electoral Commission has since announced  new dates for the elections. They are February 23 for presidential elections and national assembly elections and March 9 for gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections. We’ll bring you updates as INEC releases them.

‘Dolupo Balogun

Written by BoomRadioNG