Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Mr Donald Duke, on Saturday said the postponement of the presidential and the National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission was a coup against the Electoral Act.
Duke, who was in Calabar, Cross River State, to cast his vote, said in a statement that more annoying was the fact that the electoral umpire failed to tender unreserved apologies to Nigerians for the unfortunate development.
He said, “I am bewildered by the postponement of the 2019 general elections a few hours to the commencement of the presidential and National Assembly voting process. It is unfortunate that at this time in our national life, we are saddled with such cavalier acts of ineptitude and betrayal by those we entrusted with the duty to lead us as a people. Without doubt, this is a coup within the ambit of the Electoral Act.
“Actions such as this clearly reinforce the yearning of Nigerians for dependable leadership. Let me reiterate that the wishes of the people for a credible alternative will not be subverted. In normal climes, the leaders of INEC ought to have tendered their resignation but that won’t happen here.”
He, however, urged Nigerians not to be deterred by the development, adding that they should come out to exercise their civic duties on the new dates.
“I urge all Nigerians not to be deterred by these deceptive and mischievous acts by people who do not mean well for our nation, but seek to frustrate our collective will to choose our leaders. We are not in doubt as to the myriad of issues that affect us and the need to resolve them and we will continue to press forward until we bring about the desired leadership transformation which Nigeria requires.”
Duke, who was in Calabar, Cross River State, to cast his vote, said in a statement that more annoying was the fact that the electoral umpire failed to tender unreserved apologies to Nigerians for the unfortunate development.
He said, “I am bewildered by the postponement of the 2019 general elections a few hours to the commencement of the presidential and National Assembly voting process. It is unfortunate that at this time in our national life, we are saddled with such cavalier acts of ineptitude and betrayal by those we entrusted with the duty to lead us as a people. Without doubt, this is a coup within the ambit of the Electoral Act.
“Actions such as this clearly reinforce the yearning of Nigerians for dependable leadership. Let me reiterate that the wishes of the people for a credible alternative will not be subverted. In normal climes, the leaders of INEC ought to have tendered their resignation but that won’t happen here.”
He, however, urged Nigerians not to be deterred by the development, adding that they should come out to exercise their civic duties on the new dates.
“I urge all Nigerians not to be deterred by these deceptive and mischievous acts by people who do not mean well for our nation, but seek to frustrate our collective will to choose our leaders. We are not in doubt as to the myriad of issues that affect us and the need to resolve them and we will continue to press forward until we bring about the desired leadership transformation which Nigeria requires.”
In this article: