Remain peaceful in the face of this provocation, this is the message of
the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku
Abubakar as he reacts to the postponement of the elections by INEC.
In a statement he personally signed, Atiku said the postponed was orchestrated by the President Muhammad Buhari administration.
He, however, urged Nigerians not to be disillusioned but to come out and vote on the rescheduled date.
Atiku’s full statement below:
“Dear citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
As you know, the Independent National Electoral Commission has announced
a postponement of the elections until 23 February and 9 March
respectively.
The Buhari administration has had more than enough time and money to
prepare for these elections and the Nigerian people were poised and
ready to perform their civic responsibility by voting in the elections
earlier scheduled for Saturday, 16 February, 2019.
This postponement is obviously a case of the hand of Esau but the voice
of Jacob. By instigating this postponement, the Buhari administration
hopes to disenfranchise the Nigerian electorate in order to ensure that
turn out is low on the rescheduled date. Nigerians must frustrate their
plans by coming out in even greater numbers on Saturday, 23 February and
Saturday, 9 March respectively.
Knowing that the Nigerian people are determined to reject them, they are
desperate and will do anything in their power to avoid their rejection
by the Nigerian people.
Their plan is to provoke the public, hoping for a negative reaction, and
then use that as an excuse for further anti-democratic acts.
As such, I call on all Nigerians to be patient. We have tolerated the
maladministration of this government for four years. We can extend our
tolerance a few more days and give them our verdict via our votes.
Maintain the peace and be law abiding. Do not react to this provocation
with anger, violence or any action that might be exploited by those who
do not want this election to hold. Remain calm. We will overcome this.
You can postpone an election, but you cannot postpone destiny.
Please come out to vote on Saturday, 23 February and Saturday, 9 March
respectively. Frustrate those who do not want this election to hold by
coming out in very large numbers. That is the best antidote to their
plans.
May God bless you and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
