Civic group expresses dismay over postponed elections

A frontline civil society organization, the Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) has expressed its disappointment and regret over the the postponement of the 2019 general elections for a week by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The organization in a statement issued in Lagos by it’s national coordinator, Nelson Ekujumi, expressed anger and sadness over the postponement of the elections by the electoral umpire, which it described as very painful and traumatic.

According to Nelson Ekujumi, “CPPM just like other patriotic Nigerians and groups is particularly pained by this unfortunate development in view of sacrifices and preparations put in place for today’s exercise by state and non state actors, the cost of which is colossal and agonizing”.

While ruminating over this unfortunate postponement, we are obliged in view of it’s commendable antecedent to give the electoral umpire, the benefit of doubt that this decision must have been taken in the best interest of our democracy and society.

CPPM condemn in the strongest terms, the mischievous attempt to demonize INEC and bring it to public ridicule by persons and groups for political expediency of which we look forward to more outpouring of emotions against fact and rationality against the electoral body in the days ahead.

However, the organization called on Nigerians to ignore the wolf cries by anti democratic elements who have finally found a tool with which to bolster their campaign of blackmail and calumny against INEC for some time now, by reminding all, that unlike in 2015 when INEC was forced to postpone the general elections by the state, at the behest of the then sitting government of President Goodluck Jonathan through the kite flown by the then National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki (Rtd.) in his address at Chatham House in London and which was echoed by other state officials, cronies and groups mobilized into the plot which eventually saw the light of the day, as the elections was postponed for six weeks.

“This postponement though regretable, is purely an INEC affair until the contrary can be proven with facts rather than emotions and politicization of it,” he said.

We are using this medium to admonish INEC to firm up it’s logistics challenge as highlighted as reasons for the postponement, in order to prevent a reoccurrence as we look forward to the new date with absolute confidence in its ability to conduct a free, fair and credible general elections.

We are also calling on Nigerians to be patient, patriotic and not to despair or be incited by anti democratic elements comments because of this temporary setback, but rather to remain firm, resolute and committed to discharging their constitutional franchise on the new dates, it’s the minimum sacrifice that we can endure for a prosperous Nigeria.

CPPM called on Nigeria’s international partners, to keep faith with the country as it charts it’s democratic path in the midst of thorny human challenges which are but inevitable.