•Report by Kamil Opeyemi
A pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has restated the need for the forthcoming general elections to be held as scheduled adding that any excuse for postponement will not be tolerated by Nigerians
The National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, made the call in a statement on Tuesday, in response to a warning by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the light of mounting concerns around the spate of insecurity across the country.
Recall that, INEC had on Monday lamented that if the insecurity in the country is “not dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in the cancellation and/or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of election results and precipitate constitutional crisis”.
The Commission spoke through the Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute, Mr. Abdullahi Zuru in Abuja.
Reacting to the statement credited to INEC, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed re-assured Nigerians that nothing will stop the elections as scheduled.
However, Afenifere in a statement said that for anyone to be thinking of postponement of election or cancellation of results, such decision would rather remain a mirage.
Afenifere felt that it’s imperative to sound this note of warning so that whoever may be thinking of postponing or alter the elections’ calendar should know that such a thing would not be accepted in any form
“We recall that in 2015, there was insecurity too to the extent that some local government areas, specifically in Borno State, were in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists. Yet elections were held. There also was insecurity in 2019 and elections were not stopped.
“In Nigeria, there is often the tendency to fly a kite. Most of the time, such kites are on policies or steps that were usually not in the best interest of the Nigerian public. This is why it is very important to clearly sound this note of warning without any ambiguity.
“This is why we are stating clearly that Nigerians are prepared for the elections just as the whole world is awaiting the elections.
“Nothing whatsoever should alter the schedule or cause is postponement let alone cancellation,”the statement read
Afenifere quoted the INEC Chairman stating that his commission is not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that security is provided “for the conduct of free,fair, credible and inclusive elections”encouraged the Commission to be committed to delivering what is contained in this statement to Nigerians.
“This is in line with various assurances that President Muhammadu Buhari had repeatedly gave that this year’s elections will not only hold, but will be free, fair and credible. He has also repeatedly expressed his desire to retire to his country home in Daura, Katsina State immediately he hands over on May 29, 2023.
Afenifere therefore called on all concerned to ensure that nothing is done to suggest that these assuring words of President Buhari are a veil that could be used by the unscrupulous to hoodwink Nigerians into a false hope.
“So much has been invested into the forthcoming general elections. Everything must be done to ensure that the elections are held and held successfully,” the statement added