Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State, on Saturday described the last minute postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as unfortunate and most condemnable.
Isiaka, however, appealed to the electorate urging them to remain focused on conscientious voting.
The governorship hopeful, in a statement on Saturday and signed by the Director of Media and Publicity, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organization (GNICO), Bolaji Adeniji and made available to newsheadline247, said that the act represented a new low in the chequered history of Nigerian elections.
He queried why the electoral umpire had to postpone the elections few hours to the exercise, despite earlier assurances that the polls would not be shifted.
According to him, “the midnight postponement is in bad taste and a sad commentary on the central government, noting that there is no justification for shifting the election since the commission had ample time to prepare ahead.”
He also admonished the Mahmood Yakubu led INEC to put its act together and deliver free, fair and credible elections on 23rd February and 9th March respectively adding that doing this will not only redeem the commission’s suspect image but it will put will put our nation back on the path of sustained democratic progress.
The statement reads in part, “Nigerians have had to put themselves through sacrifices and diverse inconveniences, preparatory to the elections but with this display of gross inefficiency by INEC, the huge logistical and financial waste is coming at a humongous cost to all stakeholders in the electoral process and the generality of Nigerians”.
“For a commission that had ample time to prepare ahead, the midnight postponement is in bad taste and a sad commentary on the central government – that should take the bigger blame for it’s culpability and failure to prevent this national embarrassment; when indeed institutions of state must be progressively built to fulfill their constitutional obligations”.
In his words for Ogun voters, he said, “For us in Ogun state and the ADC particularly, we are well prepared for the elections as our people were ready to go out and exercise their franchise before the abrupt stop of the show.
“Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka is using this medium to salute the effort, zeal and sacrifice of the Ogun electorate that was so eager to put an end to maladministration by voting for credible candidates in these elections”.
The two-time campaigner urged citizens of the state to remain focused on conscientious voting as they approach the elections on the rescheduled dates as announced by INEC.
“Ogun people should not be deterred but persevere and return to the polls; more determined to put in place people-centred leadership.” The statement concludes
 in Ogun State, on Saturday described the last minute postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as unfortunate and most condemnable.){kind=link}