State on Sunday, expressed
disappointment at the rescheduling
of the general elections from Feb.
14 to March 28 and April 11, 2015
by the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC).
He told journalists after collecting
his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) at
his ward in Surulere Local
Government Area, that the change
in date for the elections lacked
merit.
Fashola said the claim by the
security agencies that they could
not guarantee security for the
elections as initially scheduled,
illustrated the lack of preparedness
for the polls on the part of the
election management body.
While describing the rescheduling
as “a low point in governance,” the
governor said the shift was capable
of undermining the nation’s
democracy and investment.
“I think Nigerians must be
disappointed by the postponement of
the polls from February to March
because it seems as if INEC was
ambushed to take that decision.
The shift will have consequences for
us as a nation; the credibility of our
governance is regrettably
diminished. I do not know of any
serious democracy that has set
election dates then change them.
I think when a country sets a
process in motion like this,it ought
to know that there would be
political and economic
consequences.
Investors watch what is going on. It
is really disappointing and when
you hear the Federal Government
saying they cannot guarantee
security, it is more disappointing.
Security is the primary
responsibility of the government and
whether the nation holds election or
not it is the duty of government to
provide security.
If countries like Afghanistan and
Syria where there is war and
internal conflicts still had elections,
I do not see why we can’t.
Again, we had elections in 2011 and
some of these terror acts had
started in 2010.So where was the
ability to guarantee security then ? ”
he said.
Fashola, however, appealed to
Nigerians to remain calm over the
development, stressing the need for
them to shun anything that could
breach the peace.
He noted that the postponement of
the polls from Febuary to March is
only a matter of time, saying that
eligible voters will eventually
exercise their franchise.
The governor however said that he
was glad to collect his PVC at last
and enjoined residents who had not
collected theirs to do so.
He appealed to INEC to extend the
PVC collection deadline to enable
more Nigerians pick up their voter
cards.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that the governor had
earlier addressed a crowd of Arewa
APC supporters at the Tafawa
Balewa Square,where he urged
them to eschew violence.
He said no matter how much they
were provoked by supporters of the
other political parties, they should
stay out of trouble.
Fashola urged members to step up
campaigns to ensure victory for the
party.
NAN reports that the state’s APC
governorship aspirant, Akinwunmi
Ambode, and the Iyaloja General of
Nigeria, Shade Tinubu-Ojo were
among the dignitaries that attended
the rally.
