Kunle ADELABU
INEC chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu
Electorate in Ikorodu division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, have joined thousands of others across the country in reacting to the postponement of the 2019 General Elections on the eve of the initially scheduled date by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with mixed feelings.
While some were of the opinion that the electoral umpire postponed the elections based on good reasons, others said the body has was no tangible justification for its action while some others were of the opinion that INEC was not ready to conduct the elections.
They registered their reactions on THE IMPACT and Frankly Speaking Forum Whatsap platforms.
Miss Arinola Okeowo, a property developer and social media influencer, while reacting, stated that the decision was in order but, however, blamed INEC for waiting till the eve of the election before calling it off.
“ I want to believe it’s for good but INEC shouldn’t have waited till few hours to the elections before breaking the news. They should have known they weren’t fully ready days back. So much preparations must have been done by candidates and now, campaign has to resume resume again”.
Madam Funke Awoyemi, a community leader and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed positive reaction to the development.
“All things work together for good…… It’s all going to end in praise.
“They must have their reasons. I still insist it’s all going end in praise”.
She, nevertheless, expressed concern for candidates who were ready for the contest before the postponement.
“I feel for all contestants, particularly those contesting for offices at the federal levels . I’m sure the tension isn’t going to reduced . “Ju gbogbo e lo, ope lo ma ja si fun wa (above all, it shall end in praise)”.
In his own reaction, Mr Monday Ohi Obadan, a community developer and public commentator, dismissed INEC’s reasons for the postponement, stating that the electoral umpire was never ready for the elections.
“INEC was never ready for February 16 elections, especially when one consider the recent burning of election materials in some states like Rivers and Plateau. The redeployment of Commissioners few days to the February 16 also could factored in. The recent killings in Kaduna heightened security concerns. Prior to these factors, you may recall the brinkerings between the executive and legislature on INEC budget which made the passage of the supplementary budget by the body to be delayed”.
Obadan was also of the opinion that the postponement might end up working in favour of the opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“A breather for the opposition PDP and its cohorts. Like we always say, 24 hours in politics is a decider. APC may have lost some undecided voters which may strengthened the oppositions’ position. The landslide I predicted for the President (Buhari) has be tainted by this decision of postponement. PMB/APC would still win nonetheless. I empathise with the candidates and the footsoldiers”.
Ogbeni Wunmi Amusa, a member of the APC, stated, “Only those that have one assignment or the other to do with this elections (party agents, observers, security agents, INEC ad hoc and regular staffers) and have spent at least 15 hours or more at INEC office since Friday afternoon would understand how hurtful the cancellation is”.
The PDP Publicity Secretary in Ikorodu, Mr Femi Adinlewa, stated that the postponement is a panic reaction by the ruling party, APC, and added that the PDP Presidential candidate would win the election anytime it is conducted.
“No where to hide, if you like, postpone it to December, ATIKU is the next President of Nigeria.
“Why the postponement after sharing the election materials to various wards? “
Alha Mustapha Bisi also queried the postponement by INEC.
“ Why the postponement few hours to the election when Nigerians and the world were made to believe all was well with preparations and logistics? This is a national embarrassment”.
Agbo Odesanya, a Mass Communication lecturer, blamed President Buhari for the postponement.
“Buhari AFRAID? The decision is a very rash one”.
Reacting on Frankly Speaking platform, Mrs Shode Adenrele, stated that, “This postponement of elections is not fair on me as a parent oooo! What sort of system are we running? It’s a lot of burden on my plans and budget…Kilode gan? (what is the matter?)” , she queried angrily in Yoruba language.
“So many plans have been truncated, people have taken risk to travel, kids are home on break and so many sundry things. Government should be sensitive to our feelings… Was INEC just waking up from its slumber?”
“Very disappointing, my kids are home, we had plans”, she added.
Odesanya Tayo, a former aide to the Governor of the State of Osun and the administrator of the Frankly Speaking Forum, stated, “ Frankly speaking, it’s a very disappointing development, a devastating blow I’m still struggling to adjust to.
“It just shouldn’t have been left till so late to make such announcement, what was the umpire thinking when he kept reiterating his readiness?”.
Tayo stated that the postponement would cause disruption in school calendar.
“Now the schools will be thrown off balance as to how to rearrange their calendars again”.
Buttressing Tayo’s submission, Mrs Adenrele stated, “Sure bet, it’s a total waste of resources, human and others. Some are already on the field but now, have to go back to their stations and report again next Saturday.
“Yes… LASU (Lagos State University) is supposed to start exams on the 4th of March, now, things will have to change…. What a country!!! What a system!!!!”, she lamented.
Mr Lateef Bello, a civil servant and public commentator, said that, “I pity those that fixed their events on the day the elections are rescheduled to and those who travelled to vote. Who is going to refund my hotel bill now? Having left my home to check into an hotel, just to be close to my polling booth, only to hear by midnight that the incompetent INEC has postponed the elections … Nonsense and annoying ”.
Mr Oresajo Michael, while also commenting, stated that the postponement is very hurtful to Nigerians.
“Hmm, Nigerians have never been so hurt and disappointed about anything like this INEC’s action before. The foreign observers and other stakeholders are asking why INEC had to wait so late until very few hours to the elections before the announcement.
“People have lost money, appointment have been cancelled, businesses have been closed, people have taken risk to travel from abroad into the country as well as moving from one part of the country to the areas close to their voting centres. Who will pay for all these cost?”, Oresajo asked.
“Many people have booked hotels for this purpose and by next week Saturday, those that have rescheduled their businesses, social engagements , weddings, burials, e.t.c and have fully paid for event centres including sundry expenses, would have to call it off again, who would pay for all these? “.
He stated that the postponement would cause many voter’s apathy while declaring INEC incompetent.
“Definitely, there will be voters’ apathy next week. The political parties will have to incur more cost to continue their campaigns, pay for jingles. Some electorate will just loose the steam and refuse to come out to vote. The implications are far higher that the lame excuses given by INEC. This is classic incompetence on the part of INEC leadership that had released this time table since 2017″.
Meanwhile, Hon Babajimi Benson, the APC candidate for the Ikorodu Federal Constituency seat at the Federal House of Representatives, has thanked the electorats for their support during the campaign and their readiness to vote before the postponement by the INEC.
In a released signed by the lawmaker, he pleaded with the electorats not to allow apathy set in and call on their support for his re-election.
“To the good people of Ikorodu Federal Constituency who were ever ready to vote today before the unexpected postponement, I thank you for the unshaken belief and support all through the campaign period.
“I salute your dedication and urge us all to remain calm while we allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sort out the logistics issues which necessitated the delay.
“The Presidential and National Assembly elections have been rescheduled to February 23, 2019. As usual, I will count on your unflinching support and turnout at the polls on the rescheduled date, let’s keep our momentum going. We should not be deterred by the delay, let’s be resolute about the Broom Revolution as victory is impending.
