By Danlami Nmodu
(UPDATED) The National Chairman of Nigeria’s main opposition All Progressives Congress,APC ,Chief Odigie Oyegun has decried what he described as the attempts by the Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party,PDP to postpone this month’s general elections.
Specifically , Oyegun said at a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday,”The All Progressives Congress (APC) is aware that the Presidency may attempt to drag members of The Council of State into its efforts to postpone the elections during the scheduled meeting of The Council on Thursday, February 5th. Members of The Council of State are Nigerians who are held in very high esteem, and their involvement in a project that damages the democratic process will be a serious disservice to our national assets in leaders.
He pointedly urged members of the National Council of State not to allow themselves to be manipulated to endorse FG’s planned postponement of elections.”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.”
Oyegun said clearly that his party will not accept any postponement of the polls. “APC reaffirms its commitment to fully participate in the general elections on February 14th and 28th as planned and will not accept any postponement”, the national chairman of APC said .
“Our party is encouraged by the fact that INEC has restated in clear and unambiguous terms its determination and ability to conduct the elections as planned. 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.
He said further that “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 Leaders Meet in Abuja
Reports Wednesday night said leaders of the APC had converged in Abuja at a meeting hosted by Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.The leaders are believed to be deliberating on the unfolding events on the political scene.
On February 14 we stand – APC Campaign
The APC Presidential Campaign Organization (APCPCO) has 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, the APC presidential campaign organization 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.”
