Poll shift, a failed coup –Oyo APC

FEBRUARY 10, 2015 BY BAYO AKINLOYE AND ALEXANDER OKERE 2 COMMENTS

The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has described the alleged pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission, which was said to have culminated in the postponement of the general elections by six weeks, as a failed coup against democracy.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had on Saturday announced a change in the timetable of the polls, citing the inability of the military to ensure the security of the elections, as the basis for the shift.

But in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, the Oyo APC regretted that the Peoples Democratic Party could go to the extent of coercing federal agencies expected to be impartial on election matters into the ploy to frustrate the conduct of the general elections.

The statement read in part, “Among the billions of the world population who know much about the character of the human elements in the Nigeria’s albatross called the PDP, only a few would be surprised at the latest development.

“But the sad thing about it is that President Goodluck Jonathan and his sympathisers have again reduced Nigeria to a laughing stock in the international community more than ever before.

“Regrettably also, the circumstances surrounding the poll shift announced by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, have revealed the extent to which every national institution has been damaged by the PDP.

“The whole world has been to see that INEC and national security agencies are under the jackboot of the PDP cabal, which could subject them to acting its own script against national interest at any time.”

Also, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Monday urged eligible voters in the state to tolerate the postponement of the elections by INEC.

The governor, who spoke in Benin, said that the development showed that the ruling PDP was not ready for the May 29 handover date, even when Nigerians were set to cast their votes.

“They can’t postpone Christmas,” he said.

Oshiomhole, who argued that presidential elections had taken place in countries with similar challenges as Nigeria, however, assured that the APC would continue to mobilise more support, even from the PDP “so that Edo State will be 100 per cent for APC.”

He said, “Few days back, they called us for a meeting at the Council of States and we said they should go ahead and do the election. In any event, we are not the only country with security challenges. Even election is held in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“So, whether they postpone the election or not, we won’t fight. They can’t postpone Christmas. I want to appeal to all of you; nobody should be angry because I know you were ready for Saturday’s election.

“Only a debtor thinks tomorrow is far; if they like, let them keep coming up with issues. Elections will hold. APC is already in power by the grace of God. Don’t fight; make peace.”


http://www.punchng.com/news/poll-shift-a-failed-coup-oyo-apc/#comments

hmmm

Oshiomole is right. Let's wait till march 28. No matter how Jonathan packages this, this election is a losing election for him. He can run but he can't hide.

STOP CRYING MR MAN

Go and die.

I like the way you reason but don't be too confident because PDP still remains PDP! Anything can happen.

You can only delay CHANGE but you can't stop it. PDP and FG only postponed their defeat.