Shocker! INEC Shifts Elections To Feb 23
- Postponement difficult decision – Yakubu
BY COBHAM NSA, ABUJA – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has postponed the Presidential and National Assembly elections earlier scheduled for Saturday, February 16 to Saturday, February 23, 2019, describing the decision as a difficult one.
In a sudden move that is sending shock waves across the country, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said a comprehensive review of its processes indicates that holding elections as earlier scheduled ‘is no longer feasible.’
Explaining the reasons behind the Commission’s decision to shift the polls by one week, Prof Yakubu told newsmen at about 2:43am on Saturday that having met on Friday, February 15, 2019 to appraise its preparations for the 2019 general elections earlier scheduled for Saturday, February 16, the Commission was convinced of the need to shift the Presidential and National Assembly elections to Saturday, 23rd February 2019.
He said the electoral umpire would later in the day meet with key stakeholders at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja to discuss and iron out issues surrounding the latest development.
The INEC Chairman, 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 came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible.
“Consequently, the Commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential and National Assembly Elections to Saturday, 23rd February 2019.”
He said given the new development, the Governorship, State House of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections have also been rescheduled to Saturday March 9, 2019.
According to Prof Yakubu, “This will afford the Commission the opportunity to address identified challenges in order to maintain the quality of our elections.”
Maintaining that the postponement “was a difficult decision for the Commission to take”, the INEC boss said it was however “necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy.”
He also stated that; “The Commission will meet key stakeholders to update them on this development at 2pm on Saturday, 16th February 2019 at the Abuja international Conference Centre” to further address issues arising from the sudden polls’ shift.
