President Goodluck Jonathan has spoken out on the postponement of the 2015 General Elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Jonathan urged Nigerians to accept the adjustment of the election dates by INEC in good faith.
The President said this via statement released on Sunday, February 8, by his media aide, Reuben Abati. It reads:
Following
the adjustment of the dates for the 2015 general elections by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from February 14 and 28
to March 28 and April 11, yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan has
reassured the nation of his commitment to the sanctity of May 29, 2015
as the terminal date of his first term in office. He strongly reaffirms
that May 29 is, has been, and will remain sacrosanct.
The
President appeals to all stakeholders to accept the adjustment of the
election dates by INEC in good faith, as the electoral body has a
responsibility to conduct credible elections in which every Nigerian of
voting age is afforded the opportunity to exercise their civic right
without any form of hindrance.
President
Jonathan believes that this is not a time to trade blames or make
statements that may overheat the polity, but a time to show
understanding and support the electoral commission to conduct the
elections successfully.
It is the President’s understanding that INEC’s decision ought not to generate acrimony since it acted
within its powers under the law and in consultation with all relevant
stakeholders.
He calls on the
international community, civil society and the electorate to continue to
support the administration’s commitment to a free, fair, credible, and
non-violent electoral process.
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