POSTPONEMENT OF POLLS INJURIOUS, UNFORTUNATE – IGBO LEADER

POSTPONEMENT OF POLLS INJURIOUS, UNFORTUNATE – IGBO LEADER

The Spiritual leader of Igbo nation Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka (Ogilisi Igbo) has lent his voice on the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections to February 23, 2019 by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) describing it as “very injurious and unfortunate development”.

INEC in a Statement signed by the Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu  postponed the Presidential and National Assembly polls citing logistics reasons, operational plans and the determination of the Commission to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

INEC Statement reads in parts “following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan and the determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible”

Chief Ezeonwuka who is a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) lamented that the shifting of the polls has inflicted a huge degree  of injury on the political parties, candidates and their supporters in the area of finance noting that parties, candidates and their supporters have spend huge sums of money for the elections.

“I feel bad for the political parties, the candidates and their supporters because they have spent substantial amount of money in getting ready for the polls. Some people came all the way from Europe and America to lend support to political parties and their candidates, they paid flight tickets and booked hotels so the injury on the people is heavy” he

The Igbo Spiritual leader however appealed to the political parties, the candidates and their supporters including those who came all the away from foreign lands include international observers to forgive INEC and bear the loss as a sacrifice made for humanity noting that the situation is a clear indication that Nigeria is a developing country yearning for real development to join the developed world.

He specifically appealed to the candidates to avoid being discouraged and losing hope on the preparation of INEC towards ensuring a free, fair and credible polls asking them to see the postponement as an opportunity to review their plans and strategies toward the elections.

“The shifting of the polls is bad like I said earlier, nevertheless, it has provided the candidates a spontaneous opportunity to review their plans and strategies toward the elections” one week ahead are already at hand.