Poll Shift: Buhari Urges Nigerians To Remain Calm

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Nigeria 2015 Election Monday, February 9th, 2015

By Funmilayo Omidiji – Following the sudden postponement of the February general elections, Nigerians have been advised to remain resolute, resist provocations, as well as sustain trust in the entire democratic process and the country’s electoral body – the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rted) gave the advice Sunday, in his reaction to the INEC six weeks elections shift.

In his remarks, General Buhari stated the collective trust could only serve to encourage the electoral body to remain steadfast and remain committed to the rule of law, adding that his party would not tolerate any further interference with the electoral process as well as insisted that the rescheduled polls of (March 28 and April 11, 2015) must be sacrosanct.

“Nigeria is definitely greater than any of us, and much more important than our individual ambitions. Before us there was Nigeria, and long after we are gone there will still be Nigeria. Let us continue to do our part to make it the great country that it should be. We must rescue our dear country. God being on our side, we shall salvage Nigeria together” the opposition Presidential candidate maintained.

As a Nigerian and a Presidential candidate in the elections, General Buhari indicated he shared in the disappointment and frustration of the decision, noting that the postponement coming a week to the first election has raised so many questions, many of which he said, shall be asked in the days ahead.

Still, the former Head of State cautioned his party supporters not to allow themselves to be tempted into taking actions that could further endanger the democratic process.

He reasoned: “Our country is going through a difficult time in the hands of terrorists. Any act of violence can only complicate the security challenges in the country and provide further justification to those who would want to exploit every situation to frustrate the democratic process in the face of certain defeat at the polls.

“If anything, this postponement should strengthen our resolve and commitment to rescue our country from the current economic and social collapse from this desperate band. Our desire for change must surpass their desperation to hold on to power at all cost. We are clearly dealing with people who feel they can get away with placing their personal interest over those of our nation and its citizens.

What is at stake is the very survival of our country. We must not allow this temporary delay to abort this great opportunity”.

The opposition candidate said while he shared the pains and frustrations of many Nigerians, his deep faith in the democratic process gave assurance that the country, would overcome the present political trial.

The postponement, which he said came on the heels of the bogey of the National Security Adviser that half of the registered voters were being disenfranchised was exposed as a crude and fraudulent attempt to subvert the electoral process.

Former Nigerian Military Head, who established that The PDP administration has now engineered a postponement using the security threat, also observed that the INEC acted within its constitutional powers, still it was clear that it has been boxed into a situation where it has had to bow to pressure, regretting “the independence of INEC has been gravely compromised”.