The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has warned that further postponement of the March 28 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission will amount to “a civilian and military coup.”
While advising INEC to take note of its constitutional limitations, he also ruled out participation in any election debate following the postponement of the elections.
The former Head of State, sounded the warning in an interview with journalists on Monday in Abuja during a courtesy call on him by the first elected President of Malawi and Leader of the Commonwealth Election Observers Group, Dr. Bakili Muluzi.
He said, “We told them about the change in the dates of elections and the constitutional limitations of INEC. That is the last card for INEC and they cannot delay the elections anymore. So, it is up to the government to facilitate a free, fair and credible election.
“If they fail to do that then, they will be indulging in a civilian and military coup because the constitution is very clear that certain days to the swearing in, there must be an election which will usher in a new government. So, there are no more excuses. INEC has given a document that they are ready for the election.
“They said they had trained their personnel, acquired equipment and have been distributing voter cards. But the security chiefs wrote INEC and demanded six more weeks.
“Okay, they have been given six weeks and that is the end of it. So we are getting ready for the election of March 28.
“Our enormous support has grown; we have visited 34 out of the 36 states in the country. It remains two states and Abuja and that will complete it. We are now conducting town hall meetings with interest groups, business people, the elite and youths. I appeal to our supporters to remain calm.”
Asked if he would participate in further debate due to the shift in presidential election date, Buhari said, “We are having town-hall meetings and the party (APC) has taken a superior position.”
Muluzi had while thanking Buhari for receiving his team, said that he had discussions with INEC.
He said, “I am from the Commonwealth and we are about 11 members who have been drawn from Commonwealth countries to observe the elections with some members of staff from London.
“We arrived here on Saturday and we normally arrive in any country in which we want to observe election five days before, just to interact with stakeholders and the leadership to understand the situation on the ground. It was only on Saturday night that we were informed that the election will now hold on March 28.
“We met with INEC this (Monday) morning and we raised some questions and they also answered the questions. We also thought that there should be an opportunity to meet the leadership. INEC has postponed the elections for six weeks.
“I just want to appeal to the Nigerian people, especially at this time, to remain calm. This is why I do congratulate him (Buhari) because he has asked his supporters to remain calm until the election is held on March 28.
“It is very important, Africa is still very important. We still have to create employment for our people. And if we are going to create chaos in our country, we will be unfair to our people who are looking forward to the leadership for employment. And therefore peace becomes very important. I will have to appeal to Nigerians to remain calm.”
Muluzi also said the delegation would meet with President Goodluck Jonathan to make the same appeal so that he must appeal to his supporters to remain calm.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III-led Jama’atu Nasir Islam, has warned politicians against jeopardising the nation’s democracy with the postponment of the elections by INEC.
In its reaction to INEC’s decision to delay the polls, the body also asked politicians to fear God in their actions.
The apex Islamic body said on Monday that political gladiators should not jeopardise the already tensed situation in the country.
A statement by the JNI’s Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, in Kaduna on Monday, however, asked Nigerians to remain calm by not further heating up the polity.
It said, “The JNI, under the leadership of its President-General, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and his lieutenants, after listening to the shift in dates of the 2015 general elections by six weeks, as announced by INEC, is watching with keen interest the uproar the decision is currently generating in the country and therefore calls for caution by all political gladiators.
“They should, in the name of God, not jeopardise the already tensed situation of grief and anxiety.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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YES BABA (GMB) OUR NEST PRESIDENT BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE ALL TRUST UUU...
ReplyDeleteThe worse u have done is sponsoring of boko haram, u can't do anything worse than that, the bees u evil men have been passing out will continue to sting u all to the grave.
ReplyDeleteDo not calm ur boys, let them do their worse.
Quit saying that. You are not being objective. You write as if you don't love this country. Wickedness represents the face of evil.
DeleteBaba o don't worry, they are seeking pre election violence but they won't get it... no be dem sa dem be oga... na why dem dey run, we will vote them out... you know why??? dem be ole!!!
ReplyDeleteBUhari , should stop threatening Nigerians , we Nigerian donot want Buhari Nigeria is bigger than any individual . If buhari had toppled Democratic Govt. of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and truncated our democracy in 1983 tehn rule Nigerians as jungle , he should rethink that for Four times he has contested we Nigerians rejected him, we will continue to reject him in 2015 election no matter his plans. Am calling on all Nigerians to reject Buhari and Vote Good luck Jonathan for peace and Unity of Nigeria .
ReplyDeletePlease mind the way you used English words, you and who is we" all Nigerians have rejected GEJ if you care to listen, even Oga Jona knows that is time is up. So stop fooling yourself. All our vote is for GMB.
DeleteWhat do you mean that all Nigerian have rejected GEJ. Talk for yourself alone. Do not talk for others. The presidential candidate is planning a coup. Buhari should be arrested
DeleteThis postponement is already a coup! It's ambush and blackmail against a constitutional body of government, i.e. INEC. The military connivance amounts to a coup de tat and that's it. Nigerians must beware now; the forces of evil have taken an even darker dimension, and their motive is even more glaring now.
ReplyDeleteIlliteracy is dangerous
DeleteIf Military even take over it will be better because the so called democracy i see now is rubbish as they are making it do or die affairs
ReplyDeleteThe days when northern elites sponsored soldiers will topple the government for there fulani elite masters are over.
DeleteLet d election hold nd let see who nigerians wll reject,EWU.
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ReplyDeleteBuhari should be ashame of himself b/c of secondary sch non attendance chikina!
ReplyDeleteWhoever emerge the winner come 28th should be rest assured that God is still on the throne.
ReplyDeleteOh god come and take control of this our nation
ReplyDeleteBuhari should stop talking tough, We Nigerians don't want him as our president. Jonathan remains the best president Nigeria had ever produced, his meekness is out of this world, APC remains the best opposition for now but can not rule Nigeria yet, I don't know where they are getting the boldness that APC can defeat a performing incumbent when we are all solidly behind Jonathan, Before 2019 Jonathan will be the most praised president.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 8:34, you are entitled to just a single vote. So speak for only your blockhead-self. As for me, my friends and families and the majority of right-thinking Nigerians, we have decided to vote for Buhari/Osinbajo and no going back on that.
ReplyDeleteIt's better you join the train of the Progressives when you still have the chance or you and your generation yet unborn will regret it all the days of your lives.
If you're so confident of this present administration, then I pray that your life will be run the way GEJ is presently running this country. Reply amen please.
bloody coupist! that's the only language this illiterate bastard knows. bloody jihadist!
ReplyDeleteIf it was not for Jonathan and his criminal accomplices, this election would be over in a few days. But no, the turmoil continues so as to give Jonathan more time to figure out how to rig the process. All this claim of Boko Haram and PVC is just not true. Jonathan should be ashamed of himself for doing what he did. Nigerians are also to blame for remaining docile in the face of actions that threaten their nation. Always told to be calm and to remain calm like tranquilized dogs while Jonathan and his henchmen destroy the country. INEC should not allow any open campaigns through March 28 to avoid further trouble. Jega has already messed up but he should not allow any further open air campaigns. The campaigning period should already be over, whether the election holds this week or the end of March.
ReplyDeleteBuhari is planning a coup and should be arrested. GEJ should retire everyone from Major General except those loyal to him. The others should face retirement because of Buhari's treat. I just want to ask many Nigerian one question. If one becomes notorous killer do you vote for that person so that killing will stop? If yes then many will go into the business of notorous killings so that you will vote for them as well. Think wisely before you vote.
ReplyDeleteBuhari we. Are waiting for u and ur evil peopel Remember 1967 is not 2015 only if u can understand me Because u didn't go to school
ReplyDeleteBUHARI WILL LOSE THE 2015 ELECTION HE HAS CHUCK HIS FINGER ON GOD EYES , BUHARI U ARE A LOSER!!!!
ReplyDelete@ anonymous 9:43. And your PAPA too!!!
ReplyDeleteMay GOD run his life just like the way Gej is runing this country....Amen!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSome people's heart is as black as chacoal...they care-less about the country's situation rather they only think for thier selfish interest which is as black as thier heart! My vote will 4 eva be yours Mr president (GMB).
ReplyDeleteArrest Buhari now. He is planning a coup
ReplyDelete