ELECTION POSTPONEMENT: Atiku Accuses Buhari Of Plot To Disenfranchise Nigerians

* Remain peaceful in face of provocation, Atiku tells
Nigerians

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,
Atiku Abubakar, has asked Nigerians to remain peaceful in the face
of provocation.

Atiku said this in a statement he personally signed in the early
hours of Saturday while reacting to the shift in the dates for the
conduct of the general elections as announced by the Chairman of
the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood
Yakubu.

Atiku signed the statement which he addressed to Nigerians from
Yola, Adamawa State where he had gone to cast his vote.

The former vice-president said that it was unfortunate that the
government of President Muhammadu Buhari failed to utilise the time
it had to organise the elections.

He likened the actions of the commission to the Biblical hand of
Esau but the voice of Jacob.

He said, “As you know, the Independent National Electoral
Commission has announced a postponement of the elections until 23
February and 9 March respectively.

“The Buhari administration has had more than enough time and
money to prepare for these elections and the Nigerian people were
poised and ready to perform their civic responsibility by voting in
the elections earlier scheduled for Saturday, 16 February,
2019.

“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.
Nigerians must frustrate their plans by coming out in even greater
numbers on Saturday, 23 February and Saturday, 9 March
respectively.

“Knowing that the Nigerian people are determined to reject them,
they are desperate and will do anything in their power to avoid
their rejection by the Nigerian people.

“Their plan is to provoke the public, hoping for a negative
reaction, and then use that as an excuse for further
anti-democratic acts.

As such, I call on all Nigerians to be patient. We have
tolerated the maladministration of this government for four years.
We can extend our tolerance a few more days and give them our
verdict via our votes.”

Atiku asked Nigerians to maintain the peace and still endure to
come out to vote on the new dates.

He said, “Maintain the peace and be law abiding. Do not react to
this provocation with anger, violence or any action that might be
exploited by those who do not want this election to hold. Remain
calm. We will overcome this. You can postpone an election, but you
cannot postpone destiny.

“Please come out to vote on Saturday, 23 February and Saturday,
9 March respectively. Frustrate those who do not want this election
to hold by coming out in very large numbers. That is the best
antidote to their plans.

“May God bless you and may God bless the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.”