The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has apologised to Nigerians for postponement of the 2019 general elections.
Okay Nigeria recalls that INEC postponed the elections to 23rd February, 2019 for Presidential and National Assembly while the Governorship, State House of Assembly and the FCT Area Council Elections was shifted to 9th March, 2019.
The electoral commission also took responsibility for any inconveniences the postponement might have caused.
The INEC Chairman, made this appeal while addressing stakeholders in Abuja on Saturday.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the decision the decision was taken after a careful review of the plan for the exercise. He said the postponement was neither politically influenced nor because of security concerns. He blamed bad weather and recent attacks on INEC facilities as some of the reasons.
“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,” the INEC chairman said.
