Election must not be postponed, APC warns council of state

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised members of the council of state not to play into the hands of the Jonathan government by sanctioning the postponement of the general election.

Matters relating to the general election are expected to dominate the discussion of the council of state meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, John Odigie Oyegun, national chairman of the APC,  noted that the role of the council was purely advisory, but warned it against aligning with forces bent on truncating the nation’s democracy.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) is aware that the presidency may attempt to drag members of the council of state into its efforts to postpone the elections during the scheduled meeting of the council on Thursday, February 5. Members of the council of state are Nigerians who are held in very high esteem, and their involvement in a project that damages the democratic process, will be a serious disservice to our national assets in leaders,” he said.

“Our party is encouraged by the fact that INEC has restated in clear and unambiguous terms its determination and ability to conduct the elections as planned. It is the constitutional prerogative of INEC to set election dates which nonetheless should meet at least the minimum threshold of confidence.”

Oyegun alleged that the plot of the Peoples Democratic Party administration to postpone the election was a bid to avoid a “certain defeat”.

“We recognise that it had challenges but these are challenges that have been or are being seriously tackled by the commission, and the engineered clamour for postponement is not helping the situation. Attempts to rubbish INEC’s preparations in order to achieve a postponement are being seen for what they are: a desperate ploy by the PDP administration to avoid certain electoral defeat,” he said.

“Unfortunately, in the process, the polity is being overheated to dangerous levels, with consequences that might be predictable at this stage.

“Nigerians understand where the orchestrated attempts involving instigation of political parties and other groups, flimsy legal challenges and cynical manipulation of national elders and leaders are coming from. These are part of the PDP script to deny Nigerians their right to choose their leaders on the 14th and 28th of February.

“APC has faith in the distinguished members of the council of state, and advises them not to become tools in the hand of an administration that wants to subvert our fragile democratic process. INEC should be allowed to perform its duties without overbearing interference from other institutions of State and the evil machinations of the PDP.

“APC reaffirms its commitment to fully participate in the general election on February 14 and 28 as planned and will not accept any postponement.”