Poll shift saved Nigeria huge embarrassment, says PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says contrary to reactions that the shifting of the general election was injurious to the nation’s democracy, unfolding events, especially the prevalent huge deficit in the distribution of the permanent voter cards (PVC), have shown that the development rather saved the nation and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a huge embarrassment.

The party said all lovers of democracy should appreciate those who raised the alarm that led to the postponement, as any election on the earlier scheduled February 14 and 28 dates would have been chaotic and far from fair and credible as over 23 million registered voters would have been disenfranchised for no fault of theirs.

Olisa Metuh, the party’s spokesman, said in a statement on Friday: “The fact that millions of Nigerians are still struggling to receive their PVCs a week after the February 14 date clearly shows that the commission would have been thoroughly embarrassed had it gone ahead with the elections on that day.

“As of February 7, a week to the rescheduled elections, the chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega, announced that only 45, 829, 808 people, representing 66.58 percent of the total number of registered voters, had received their PVCs. INEC’s records also showed that 1.3 million cards were yet to be delivered by the printers while 1.1 million stolen cards were yet to be replaced as at that date.

“Whereas INEC gave the impressions that all processes, including the PVC distribution, will be perfected before February 14, it is disturbing that a week after that date, millions of Nigerians are still struggling to receive their cards, which confirms the fears that the commission was
not truly ready for the election in February in spite of its posturing.

“Also, had the commission gone ahead with the polls on February 14, non-indigenes who were being denied their PVCs in select states such as Lagos and Kano would also have been disenfranchised. The shift gave INEC the time to tackle the issue, which led to the sacking of two of its culpable ad hoc staff members in Lagos state.

“Furthermore, while briefing the Senate on Wednesday, the INEC Chairman had acknowledged that the postponement was a blessing in disguise which affords the commission and other stakeholders an ample opportunity to perfect all processes for credible elections.

“In Prof Jega’s words, ‘the period of extension has offered us an opportunity to further perfect the electoral process for the delivery of free, fair credible and peaceful elections to the satisfaction of the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. We hope that all stakeholders
will continue to join hands with the commission to turn this disappointment into a blessing to our country. We believe that the effective utilisation of this period of extension will enable INEC to have a flawless and near perfect conduct of elections’.

“We note that what is paramount for our nation at this point remains the conduct of credible, free and fair elections where all registered voters are given equal opportunity to exercise their franchise. We therefore urge all stakeholders to put the overall interest of the nation ahead of other considerations and desist from making unguarded statements or jumping into hasty conclusions regarding the preparations for the general elections.”

PDP also restated its readiness for elections adding that “with its array of credible candidates, numerous achievements and support of Nigerians, it is assured of emerging victorious at the polls.”