INEC Postpones 2019 Elections, Cites Reasons (Video)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral umpire, has shifted the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections till February 23.

Naija News reports that the Commission also postponed the governorship and state assembly elections, it will now hold on March 9.

Giving a reason for the decision, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the decision was taken after a careful review of the plan for the exercise.

His words:  “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,” he said.

“Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential and National Assembly Elections to Saturday, 23 February 2019.

“Furthermore, the Governorship, State House of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections is rescheduled to Saturday 9th March 2019. This will afford the Commission the opportunity to address identified challenges in order to maintain the quality of our elections.

“This was a difficult decision for the Commission to take, but necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy.”

Yakubu announced that the commission will meet key stakeholders to update them on the development at 2 pm on Saturday.

Watch the video below…

#NigeriaDecides: Breaking: @inecnigeria Chairman Mahmood Yakubu Postpones 2019 Election Day, #NigeriaDesides2019 #ThisIsNigeria #Elections2019 pic.twitter.com/eVwarhsuXO

— Nigeria News (@NaijaNews) February 16, 2019

This online news platform recalls that the Commission had summoned stakeholders to an emergency meeting on Friday night following logistics problem in some states.

Naija News reports that the address of the INEC chairman has laid the controversies surrounding the postponement of the elections to rest.