The Rivers State Civil Society Organization, CLO, (a coalition of the civil society groups in the State) has condemned in strong terms the last-minute rescheduling of the nation’s general elections, describing it as a national embarrassment as it smacks of incompetency both on the part of the federal government and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
At a press conference held in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the body, through its Chairman, Comrade Sotonye George, noted that the general elections earlier slated for February 16, 2019 became a subject of debate both at local and international levels, just as the election umpire, INEC, six hours to the commencement of the exercise, took the nation by surprise as it announced the postponement of the process blaming logistical challenges on the change of course. The coalition, alarmed by the shift in the elections dates criticized President Muhammadu Buhari for being out of touch “with those managing the affairs of the country, including the election umpires, (INEC)”.
The body expressed disappointment over the way and manner President Buhari had informed Nigerians in particular and the world in general “that the country was fully set to conduct the elections.” It wondered why the federal government had failed to “place any value to the feelings of the people of this country.”
About the overall cost of the postponement to the nation, RCSO, observed that the shift in the dates of the elections had taken a huge toll on human and material resources, just as it recalled that Nigerians had put aside their businesses and other activities to accord the day a special priority.
To the international bodies, it noted that, even international observers who had committed huge resources to support and observe the process were also affected.
“We are yet to be told how the federal government is going to cater for these losses by our people as a result of the irrational actions and behaviours of the Federal government.
“The Federal government has demonstrated, through the sudden postponement that it is unserious, incompetent in terms of organizing credible elections. We are worried that the shift may be to give more time to manipulate the elections. We are also worried over the safety of the election materials already dispatched to various places for voting. We hope that the postponement is not meant to create an opportunity for these materials to be compromised…” the body lamented, calling on the federal government to tender unreserved apology to Nigerians for the national disgrace.
The body demanded that sensitive materials already dispatched to public domains should be adequately protected in order not to give way for any form of compromise.
The group also demanded the arrest and prosecution of “those responsible for the attacks on INEC offices and materials and for causing crisis in some states. It charged the security operatives to wake up to their responsibilities.”
While calling on the Rivers people to maintain calm disposition and avoid any violent acts, the RCLO appealed to all to come out and exercise their franchise, according to their conscience in the rescheduled elections.
The Rivers CLO appealed to the international community to prevail on the federal government to respect the will of the people by organizing credible elections and ensure that there will be no incidence of staggering of the elections.
