All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu
Buhari yesterday urged Nigerians to avoid violence over the
postponement of the general elections.
He said though the polls shift was disappointing and provocative, Nigerians must remain resolute and rise above provocation.
To Gen. Buhari, the postponement is a delay tactic, but he was quick to add that whether the Presidency or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) likes it or not, an elected government must be in place by May 29.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the weekend moved the elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 – a decision that has drawn much anger.
Gen. Buhari, who made the appeal at an international briefing in Abuja, said Nigerians must not allow the delay to abort their desire for change through the ballot.
He said:
“Following the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the 2015 general elections by six weeks, I wish to appeal for utmost restraint and calm by all Nigerians, especially the teeming supporters of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This postponement, which comes 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.
“The PDP administration has now engineered a postponement, using the threat that security will not be guaranteed across the length and breadth of Nigeria because of military engagement in some states in the Northeast.
“It is important to note that although INEC acted within its constitutional powers, it is clear that it has been boxed into a situation where it has had to bow to pressure. Thus, the independence of INEC has been gravely compromised.
“As a Nigerian and a presidential candidate in the elections, I share in the disappointment and frustration of this decision. This postponement, coming a week to the first election, has raised so many questions, many of which shall be asked in the days ahead.
“However, we must not allow ourselves to be tempted into taking actions that could further endanger the democratic process.”
Gen. Buhari said recourse to violence might complicate the security challenges facing the nation.
He urged Nigerians to use the postponement to strengthen their resolve to sack PDP from power and rescue the nation during the poll.
He said: “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.
“ While I share the pains and frustration of my fellow citizens over this development, my deep faith in the democratic process assures me that this country, with your support, will overcome.
“We must remain resolute and rise above all provocations. We must continue to trust in the entire democratic process and in INEC, which has been brought under so much pressure in the last few days.”
But, said Gen. Buhari, the APC will no longer tolerate any interference with the democratic process.
He added: “Our trust can only serve to encourage the electoral body to remain steadfast and remain committed to the rule of law. I wish to state strongly that our party will not tolerate any further interference with the electoral process. The rescheduled elections of March 28th and April 11th, 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. God Bless Nigeria!”
Gen. Buhari, who responded to questions from journalists, insisted that the shift was a delay tactic by the Presidency and the PDP.
He said: “I am a member of the Council of State and INEC gave us a comprehensive plan of their readiness to go ahead with the elections. INEC is the body that will organise and conduct elections in this country. It is up to the government to secure INEC.
“But with the military we have, if for five years the Nigerian military cannot secure 14 local governments-10 in Borno, two in Yobe and two in Adamawa-out of 774 local governments in this country, doesn’t that mean a delay tactic? What they couldn’t do in six years, can they do it in six weeks?
“But again, it is absolutely clear to us that elections must be held at least 30 days before 29th of May. So, this is the last card INEC and the government has. We don’t know the type of government they want to bring, whether a military government or a civilian government. But an elected government must be in place 30 days before May 29 this year.
“We will not tolerate any further interference because it is constitutional. INEC has played its last card.
“If you listened to the explanation of the Chairman of INEC, 30 days to 29th of May, elections must be held and having shifted the date, to March 28 and April 11, that is the last card.
So, the Federal Government has to secure this country on the 28th of March and 11th of April respectively for the election to take place.
“Otherwise, whatever they do is going to be unconstitutional and it is up to Nigerians to accept or reject it.”
He said though the polls shift was disappointing and provocative, Nigerians must remain resolute and rise above provocation.
To Gen. Buhari, the postponement is a delay tactic, but he was quick to add that whether the Presidency or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) likes it or not, an elected government must be in place by May 29.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the weekend moved the elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 – a decision that has drawn much anger.
Gen. Buhari, who made the appeal at an international briefing in Abuja, said Nigerians must not allow the delay to abort their desire for change through the ballot.
He said:
“Following the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the 2015 general elections by six weeks, I wish to appeal for utmost restraint and calm by all Nigerians, especially the teeming supporters of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This postponement, which comes 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.
“The PDP administration has now engineered a postponement, using the threat that security will not be guaranteed across the length and breadth of Nigeria because of military engagement in some states in the Northeast.
“It is important to note that although INEC acted within its constitutional powers, it is clear that it has been boxed into a situation where it has had to bow to pressure. Thus, the independence of INEC has been gravely compromised.
“As a Nigerian and a presidential candidate in the elections, I share in the disappointment and frustration of this decision. This postponement, coming a week to the first election, has raised so many questions, many of which shall be asked in the days ahead.
“However, we must not allow ourselves to be tempted into taking actions that could further endanger the democratic process.”
Gen. Buhari said recourse to violence might complicate the security challenges facing the nation.
He urged Nigerians to use the postponement to strengthen their resolve to sack PDP from power and rescue the nation during the poll.
He said: “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.
“ While I share the pains and frustration of my fellow citizens over this development, my deep faith in the democratic process assures me that this country, with your support, will overcome.
“We must remain resolute and rise above all provocations. We must continue to trust in the entire democratic process and in INEC, which has been brought under so much pressure in the last few days.”
But, said Gen. Buhari, the APC will no longer tolerate any interference with the democratic process.
He added: “Our trust can only serve to encourage the electoral body to remain steadfast and remain committed to the rule of law. I wish to state strongly that our party will not tolerate any further interference with the electoral process. The rescheduled elections of March 28th and April 11th, 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. God Bless Nigeria!”
Gen. Buhari, who responded to questions from journalists, insisted that the shift was a delay tactic by the Presidency and the PDP.
He said: “I am a member of the Council of State and INEC gave us a comprehensive plan of their readiness to go ahead with the elections. INEC is the body that will organise and conduct elections in this country. It is up to the government to secure INEC.
“But with the military we have, if for five years the Nigerian military cannot secure 14 local governments-10 in Borno, two in Yobe and two in Adamawa-out of 774 local governments in this country, doesn’t that mean a delay tactic? What they couldn’t do in six years, can they do it in six weeks?
“But again, it is absolutely clear to us that elections must be held at least 30 days before 29th of May. So, this is the last card INEC and the government has. We don’t know the type of government they want to bring, whether a military government or a civilian government. But an elected government must be in place 30 days before May 29 this year.
“We will not tolerate any further interference because it is constitutional. INEC has played its last card.
“If you listened to the explanation of the Chairman of INEC, 30 days to 29th of May, elections must be held and having shifted the date, to March 28 and April 11, that is the last card.
So, the Federal Government has to secure this country on the 28th of March and 11th of April respectively for the election to take place.
“Otherwise, whatever they do is going to be unconstitutional and it is up to Nigerians to accept or reject it.”
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