- Party insists on February election dates
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday accused the Presidency of plotting to drag members of the Council of State into its efforts to postpone the February general elections.
The APC in a statement by its Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at a press conference in Abuja, said plans had been concluded by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Presidency to use Thursday’s Council of State meeting to secure the approval of members of the Council for the postponement of the elections scheduled for February 14 and 28.
The Council is made up of former Heads of State and former Chief Justices of Nigeria among others.
Odigie-Oyegun said members of the Council, who are Nigerians held in very high esteem, with their proposed involvement in the postponement of the election, would damage the democratic process and it will be a serious disservice “to our national assets in leaders”.
He said the APC is however encouraged by the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission had restated in clear and unambiguous terms its determination and ability to conduct the elections as planned.
He said the push for the postponement of the elections was an attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party to avoid certain defeat.
He added in the statement read at the press conference on Wednesday: “It is the constitutional prerogative of INEC to set election dates which nonetheless should meet at least the minimum threshold of confidence.
“We recognize that it had challenges but these are challenges that have been or are being seriously tackled by the Commission, and the engineered clamour for postponement is not helping the situation.
“Attempts to rubbish INEC’s preparations in order to achieve a postponement are being seen for what they are: a desperate ploy by the PDP administration to avoid certain electoral defeat.
“Unfortunately, in the process, the polity is being overheated to dangerous levels, with consequences that might be unpredictable at this stage.
“Nigerians understand where the orchestrated attempts involving instigation of political parties and other groups, flimsy legal challenges and cynical manipulation of national elders and leaders are coming from. These are part of the PDP script to deny Nigerians their right to choose their leaders on the 14th and 28th of February.
“APC has faith in the distinguished members of The Council of State, and advises them not to become tools in the hand of an administration that wants to subvert our fragile democratic process. INEC should be allowed to perform its duties without overbearing interference from other institutions of State and the evil machinations of the PDP.
“APC reaffirms its commitment to fully participate in the general elections on February 14th and 28th as planned and will not accept any postponement.”
In a related development, the APC Presidential Campaign Organization (APCPCO) also on Wednesday urged members of the National Council of State to put the higher interest of Nigeria above selfish and other narrow considerations.
Reacting to the heightened fears of election postponement in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Campaign, Malam Garba Shehu, APCPCO said considering the zeal of Nigerians for change and their passion to vote, there should be no excuse to deny Nigerians the right to exercise their franchise.
With INEC, which is constitutionally empowered to conduct elections saying it is ready, the APC Campaign explained that there is no basis to contemplate on the grounds of politically expedient excuses.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission is the custodian of the electoral process and should therefore be given a free hand to conduct the 2015 general elections in line with the laws of the land.”
According to the statement, postponement of election is a serious national issue, and it, therefore, advised members of the National Council of State to vote according to their conscience when the issue of election postponement comes up for consideration.
Shehu reminded members of the National Council of State that their honour and integrity are at stake, and therefore, they must weigh the implications of election postponement.
He said the incredible enthusiasm with which Nigerians are ready to vote during the February general election should not be dampened and ruined by any idea of election postponement to serve expedient political objectives.
“As at the last count all stakeholders have committed to the conduct of the general election as scheduled. INEC had expressed its preparedness, the military and police have committed to providing adequate security and even the PDP says it is prepared for the election. From all indications the only person who is not prepared for the election appears to be President Jonathan who has seen defeat staring him in the face and is pulling all the strings to re-enact the June 12, 1993 scenario.”
