Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of instigating the postponement of the elections to disenfranchise Nigerians.
Reacting to the announced postponement, through a press statement signed by him, Atiku said; “This postponement is obviously a case of the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob.”
According to him, the aim of the postponement was to ensure low turnout on the rescheduled date.
Atiku, however urged Nigerians not to allow themselves to be frustrated but should turn out in even greater numbers on Saturday, February 23 and Saturday, March 9 respectively.
Recall that Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, had announced very early on Saturday that the elections had been postponed.
He announced the new dates as February 23 for Presidential and National Assembly elections and March 9 for Governorship and State Assembly elections.
Below is the full text of the release:
PRESS RELEASE
Election Postponement: Remain Peaceful In Face of Provocation
Yola, Nigeria, 16 Feb 2019: 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.
READ ALSO: Twitter Suspends Some influencers’ Accounts Ahead of Nigeria’s 2019 Elections
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.
Atiku Abubakar
Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party & Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007.
