Nigeria: INEC Chairman announces postponement of the 2019 elections
By Chinyere Ogbonna – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the general elections scheduled to commence today by a week.
The announcement by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, is coming less than five hours to the commencement of the polls s scheduled to commence today.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, announced the decision at a short press briefing at 2:44 am this morning.
Professor Yakubu said further details of the postponement would be made public at a conference scheduled to hold later today for 2:00 p.m. in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
There had been reports that the Electoral umpire could postpone the elections as earlier scheduled, due to logistics challenges in some parts of the country.
The statement read by the INEC Chairman:
“The Independent National Electoral Commission met on Friday, 15 February 2019 and reviewed its preparation for the 2019 general elections scheduled for Saturday, February 16, and Saturday, March 2.
According to the commission, the Presidential and National Assembly elections, initially scheduled for today, February 16, will now hold on February 23, while the governorship and state assembly’s elections will take place on March 9.
“Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plans and its determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the commission concluded that proceeding with the election as scheduled is no longer feasible.
Professor Yakubu said, “Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan, and the determination to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, the commission concluded that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible.
“Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential/National Assembly elections to Saturday, 23rd February 2019. Furthermore, the Governorship/State House of Assembly/Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections are rescheduled to Saturday, 9th March 2019.
“This will afford the Commission the opportunity to address identified challenges in order to maintain the quality of our elections. This was a difficult decision for the commission to take, but necessary for the successful delivery of elections and consolidation of our democracy.
“The Commission will meet with key stakeholders to update them on this development at 2 P.M at the Abuja International Conference Centre.”
“This was a difficult decision for the commission to take but necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy,” he added.
According to the INEC boss, the press briefing followed a crucial meeting he had with INEC’s 12 National Commissioners late Friday night.
It will be recalled that the Electoral umpire had earlier given the assurance by the INEC boss that the commission has no plan to postpone the elections.
By this announcement, Nigeria has postponed its last three general elections.
Professor Yakubu further said that details of the postponement would be made public at a conference scheduled to hold later today at 2:00 p.m. in Abuja the nation’s capital.
