A rights group known as the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights has accused the Federal Government of arm-twisting the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, to shift the general election.
The ISSJHR Chancellor, Dr. Jackson Omenazu, described the postponement of the general election by six weeks as a colossal waste of resources and manpower, maintaining that the postponement was aimed at buying more time to corrupt the electoral system.
Omenazu, who spoke with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, also said that shift of the election was an international embarrassment to Nigeria and added that the country had failed within the international diplomatic circle.
Explaining that Nigeria has portrayed itself as a nation that cannot live by its words, Omenazu pointed out that the postponement of the general election was aimed at giving criminal advantage to one political party.
“They said the election was shifted as a result of insecurity, but it appears that they are using insecurity as a cover-up. All the Federal Government is doing is to buy more time in order to corrupt the electoral system and give criminal advantage to a particular political party.
“The Federal Government arm-twisted INEC to postpone the election and this is an unacceptable interference into the duties of INEC as an umpire. The trillions of naira expended by political actors and the Federal Government and the manpower wasted are regrettable,” Omenazu emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State has called on its members to remain calm, focused and committed to winning the forthcoming general elections despite the shift in dates of the polls.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has on Saturday announced postponement of the 2015 general election from February 14 and 28, 2015 to March 28 and April 11 of the same year.
But the Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the State PDP Campaign Organisation, Mr. Emma Okah, who made this call in a state on Sunday, maintained that the changes were in the interest of the nation.
Okah urged PDP members and supporters to redouble their efforts in mobilizing the people, adding that the party’s popularity was based on its strength to carry the people along.
He said, “We are proud of our members and direct them to continue to mobilize the people from person to person, room to room, house to house, family to family, compound to compound, community to community, ward to ward, LGA to LGA and throughout the State for the elections.”
Okah disclosed that the entire programme and activities of the PDP, especially the ongoing campaigns at various levels from the wards to the state would run their normal course. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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It is obvious that Jonathan cancelled the election because he knew he would lose, but I call Jega a coward for succombing to the PDP desire.
ReplyDeleteBy this postponment PDP has attracted anger of many Nigerians, it is going to backfire against it. PDP want to topedo the will of Nigerians but we shall massively remove this clueless government.
ReplyDeleteI heard Jega was threatened into postponing the Election. If they like let them shift it till forever, what God has ordained will happen. I wonder y Jona and patie do not want to leave that seat, they must love to finish this country's money but God will disgrace them na aha Jesus Amen
ReplyDelete