Election postponement: AU pleads with Nigerians to support INEC conduct free polls

By Ukpono Ukpong

The African Union, Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), Nigeria chapter has appealed to Nigerians to be calm, exercise restraint and support the electoral umpire in discharging the enormous responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible elections. The council in a statement signed Sunday in Abuja by its Nigeria representative, Mr. Oba Olasunkanmi John, said rather than castigating INEC on the postponement of the elections, the commission should rather be supported to ensure the conduct of elections that will send serious democratic lessons for other member states of the AU to emulate. “The world is hoping that Nigeria would through this election set a standard, hence we need to encourage and support the commission so that the world through this election will know that democracy in Nigeria has come of age,” he asserted. It commended the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for taking a proactive step to avert staggered elections that may have given room for suspicion and legal logjams and assured the commission of its constant support. The council also encouraged INEC to ensure that necessary arrangements are perfected and finalised to avoid further postponement, saying the commission must continue to prioritise voters’ awareness, prompt release of information so as not to allow the propagators of fake news take advantage of the situation to confuse the electorate. “We have read with concerns several insinuations and blame game in the media on the postponement and wish to caution that all stakeholders should exercise restraint and rather channel their efforts at assisting the commission to organize credible polls. “We must all understand that our words at this time will go a long way to either make or mar the process and endanger the peace of Nigeria and Africa at large. Stakeholders must therefore watch against comments that may hamper the process. “Also on behalf of the AU-ECOSOCC Nigeria, the People Centre Assembly of the African Union, we want to commend so far, the roles being played by international and domestic observers, especially in mobilization and financial supports toward credible, free and fair general elections.
“We want to use this opportunity to appeal that we should not get tired due to the postponement and the shortcomings of the commission; we have confidence that they will still make Africa proud. “We also commend President Muhammad Buhari’s support and understanding with the commission and commend his stand to ensure that under his administration nothing short of credible elections are organized,” it added.