Postponement Of 2019 Elections By INEC: No Cause For Alarm By: Hameed Ajibola Jimoh Esq.

While Nigerians and the international communities were prepared
and ready to ensure a free, fair and credible elections are
conducted throughout the nation-Nigeria, especially, the
Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled by the
Independent national Electoral Commission-herein after referred to
as INEC-, to hold on the 16ht day of February, 2019, then, came the
shock by INEC’s announcement of the postponement of the said
elections to the 23^rd day of February, 2019, with a week
extension likewise with a week extension for the gubernatorial,
House of Assembly and the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils’
elections. This postponement has generated a lot of disappointment
and dismay in the electorates some of whom have sacrificed their:
time, resources, among others in order for the elections to take
place. I am with the humble appeal to Nigerians not to allow any
cause for alarm.

Definitely, the said postponement is without its negative
impacts in Nigerians, Nigeria and the international communities.
For instance, some electorates have traveled from one location to
another in order to cast their votes. Movements across Nigeria have
been restricted earlier and all ceremonies have been put on hold
and or postponed such as wedding ceremonies, and some other
official ceremonies. Students across educational levels too have
been given few days holidays for perhaps fear of post-election
likely violence. Accredited individuals both domestic and
international too have expended a lot of finances and other
resources in readiness and preparation for the conducts of the
elections. Now that the elections have ben postponed, then, some
persons and political parties would have to suffer in one way or
the other.

Also, it was expected that INEC would have had adequate
deliberations in the scheduling and conducts of the elections. I
also feel disappointed at INEC for the late decision to postpone
the elections. At least, two-days’ notice would have saved some
costs and efforts. I understand that INEC would not be happy with
this decision of postponement too, notwithstanding, INEC for
subsequent elections should be futuristic, proactive and sensitive
in the conducts of elections.

Nevertheless the negative impacts, I humbly appeal to Nigerians
not to be discouraged from electing the leader or candidate of
their own choice. Franchise is their constitutional right. They
should not give in to any reason to avoid voting on the postponed
date. There should be no vote buying, voter’s card
commercialization by selling, etc.. There should be no violence,
destruction of lives and property-whether those of government or
privately owned.

I equally wish that INEC would extend the time for Nigerians who
have not collected their Permanent Voter’s Cards to do so either
with three days or two days’’ extension.

Finally, I urge Nigerians and all persons involved in the
conducts of free, fair and credible elections in one way or the
other not to be discouraged. We should strategise more in ensuring
free, fair and credible elections. We all should not allow any
cause for alarm in the interest of Nigerian development and
democracy. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, God bless
Nigerians!

e-mail: hameed_ajibola@yahoo.com^[1]