Nigerians in the UK
commended INEC for the postponement of the general elections, and appealed for
understanding from all stakeholders. Some of them who spoke to newsmen in
London, unanimously agreed that the extension was in the best interest of the
nation’s democracy, while urging the youths to refrain from violence.
Rex Chosen, Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
UK South-South, said that INEC’s decision should be applauded rather than
criticised. “If INEC is charged with the responsibility of conducting a free
and fair election and has now decided to extend the polls to achieve its
objectives, it should be given the liberty it requires to set
The parameter within which it can conduct a free and fair
elections.
‘`”What is the big deal about a few weeks extension, INEC
only wants to ensure that every vote counts, and eligible voters had access to
their PVC. “We should instead applaud INEC for taken a step in the right
direction in ensuring a credible election,” Chosen stressed. Also speaking, Mrs
Susan Thomas a Nigerian born UK, said that INEC’s extension of the polls only
attest to the fact that it is committed to having a credible election.
Thomas , however said that if INEC’s decision had other
motives as being speculated by the opposition, it would amount to a setback for
the nation’s democracy. She urged politicians to rise above pettiness and
called for support for candidates who had clear and robust manifestos to offer
the nation. INEC had on Saturday postponed the election by six weeks with the
Presidential and the National Assembly elections earlier billed for Feb.14, now
shifted to March 28.
That of Governorship and House of Assembly polls initially
fixed for Feb. 28, will now hold on April 11. In a similar reaction, a diaspora
group under the auspices of Friends of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (FOGEJ) welcomed
INEC’s decision and stressed that the postponement would give ample time for
security arrangements especially in the North East.
The group at a Town Hall Meeting tagged” An Evening with Mr
president”, highlighted the achievement of the present administration and urged
the diaspora to encourage their families and associates in Nigeria to vote PDP
in order to ensure continuity. Although Jonathan was not at the meeting, but
Agriculture Minister Dr Akinwumi Adesina and his counterpart in the Power
Ministry Prof. Chinedo Nebo who graced the occasion, spoke on the
transformation agenda with particular focus on education, rail transportation,
and trade and investment.
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