While many Nigerians accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of activating security chiefs to ask for the postponement, the party has said that it derives no benefit from the delay of the general elections.
The ruling party said that while is supports the shift based on the reasons given by the electoral agency (INEC), it had no advantage from the postponement.
The PDP’s spokesman Olisa Metuh said: “We state clearly that the postponement neither confers advantage on our party and our candidates, nor can it ever be described as a set back to our democracy.
“The ultimate issue in this regard is the conduct of free, fair and credible elections,” he added.
In an official statement PDP responds:
“In the last few days, pursuant to speculations about the shifting of the dates of the general elections, the PDP had restated its readiness for the polls and continued with our rallies whilst directing all our candidates to go on with their campaigns as only the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has the powers to take decision on the matter.
“The INEC Chairman had cited an advisory from security forces that they are unable to provide adequate security for the election at the earlier scheduled dates due to the on-going anti-insurgency operations in the northeast part of the country.
Mr. Jega also said that this advisory was reinforced at the Council of State meeting on Thursday by the National Security Adviser and all the Armed Services and Intelligence Chief, who according to him stated “that they needed at least six weeks within which to conclude a major military operation against the insurgents in the northeast; and that during this operation, the military will be concentrating its attention in the theatre of operations such that they may not be able to provide the traditional support they render to the Police and other agencies during elections.”
“This announcement has not come without the attendant cost of time and great expense to our party and candidates nationwide. However, on account of the reasons adduced by the security forces and INEC, we believe that this shift, which is still within the constitutionally allowed period, can be accommodated.
The thoughts and prayers of PDP members nationwide and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians remain with our security agencies as they confront this enormous challenge at this critical period.
“However, while we understand and appreciate the security reasons given by INEC for the rescheduling of the elections, we hold the INEC Chairman, Mr. Jega to his promise when he said, “as for us in INEC, we’ll endeavour to use the period of the extension to keep on perfecting our systems and processes for conducting the best elections in Nigeria’s history. In particular, we believe that we will resolve all outstanding issues in relation to non-collection of PVCs which agitate the minds of Nigerians”.
On Saturday night, February 7, the chairman of the INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, announced the postponement of the National and State elections to March 28 and April 11, 2015 respectively, relying as he said on the powers of the Commission as provided by section 26 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).
All Progressives Congress presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari reacted to the shift of polls, asking Nigerians to remain calm and not to take any action that will further endanger the country.
The ruling party said that while is supports the shift based on the reasons given by the electoral agency (INEC), it had no advantage from the postponement.
The PDP’s spokesman Olisa Metuh said: “We state clearly that the postponement neither confers advantage on our party and our candidates, nor can it ever be described as a set back to our democracy.
“The ultimate issue in this regard is the conduct of free, fair and credible elections,” he added.
In an official statement PDP responds:
“In the last few days, pursuant to speculations about the shifting of the dates of the general elections, the PDP had restated its readiness for the polls and continued with our rallies whilst directing all our candidates to go on with their campaigns as only the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has the powers to take decision on the matter.
“The INEC Chairman had cited an advisory from security forces that they are unable to provide adequate security for the election at the earlier scheduled dates due to the on-going anti-insurgency operations in the northeast part of the country.
Mr. Jega also said that this advisory was reinforced at the Council of State meeting on Thursday by the National Security Adviser and all the Armed Services and Intelligence Chief, who according to him stated “that they needed at least six weeks within which to conclude a major military operation against the insurgents in the northeast; and that during this operation, the military will be concentrating its attention in the theatre of operations such that they may not be able to provide the traditional support they render to the Police and other agencies during elections.”
“This announcement has not come without the attendant cost of time and great expense to our party and candidates nationwide. However, on account of the reasons adduced by the security forces and INEC, we believe that this shift, which is still within the constitutionally allowed period, can be accommodated.
The thoughts and prayers of PDP members nationwide and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians remain with our security agencies as they confront this enormous challenge at this critical period.
“However, while we understand and appreciate the security reasons given by INEC for the rescheduling of the elections, we hold the INEC Chairman, Mr. Jega to his promise when he said, “as for us in INEC, we’ll endeavour to use the period of the extension to keep on perfecting our systems and processes for conducting the best elections in Nigeria’s history. In particular, we believe that we will resolve all outstanding issues in relation to non-collection of PVCs which agitate the minds of Nigerians”.
On Saturday night, February 7, the chairman of the INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, announced the postponement of the National and State elections to March 28 and April 11, 2015 respectively, relying as he said on the powers of the Commission as provided by section 26 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).
All Progressives Congress presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari reacted to the shift of polls, asking Nigerians to remain calm and not to take any action that will further endanger the country.
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