By odunayo Balogun, Abuja
As reactions continue to trail the postponement of this year’s general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the African Union, Economic, Social and Cultural Council, AU-ECOSOCC, Nigeria chapter has called on Nigerians to be calm, exercise restraint and support the electoral umpire in discharging the enormous responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible election.
The council said rather than castigating INEC on the postponement, it posited that the commission should be supported to ensure the conduct of election that will send serious democratic lessons for other member states of the AU to emulate.
According to a statement signed on behalf of the Council yesterday in Abuja by its Nigeria Representative, Mr. Oba Olasunkanmi John, it said “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”.
The council commended the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for taken a proactive steps to avert staggered elections that may give room to suspicion and legal logjams and assures the commission of its constant support.
“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 channels their efforts at assisting the Commission to organised credible polls. We most all understand that our words at this time we go along way to either make or mar the process and endangered 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 play by the International and Domestic observers especially in mobilization and financial supports toward a credible, free and fair 2019 Nigeria General election.
“We want to use this opportunity to appeal that we should not get tired due to the postponement and the short comings of the commission, we have confidence that they will still make Africa proud”, the statement stated.
The council also encouraged INEC to ensure that necessary arrangements are perfected and finalised now to avoid further postponement, saying the commission must continue to prioritise voters awareness campaign, prompt release of information so as not to allow the propagators of fake news take advantage of the situation to confuse the electorate.
“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 election is organised”, it added.
