President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday, made a statement on the postponement of the 2015 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, appealing to all stakeholders to accept the shift in the dates as announced by INEC on Saturday in good faith.
The president assured of his commitment to the sanctity of May 29th, 2015 as the terminal date of his four-year first term despite the change in election dates.
Jonathan made his position known in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.
He said said rather than trading blames and making statements that are capable of overheating the polity, stakeholders must show understanding and support INEC.
He called on the international community, civil society and the electorate to continue to support his administration’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections.
According to Jonathan, INEC 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.
The statement reads: “Following the adjustment of the dates for the 2015 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission 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.”(Daily Post)
