Afenifere Against Election Postponement, Says Insecurity Part Of System

By Ayodele Oni

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has traced history of elections in the country, saying hiding under insecurity to postpone this year’s election is not tenable.

The Group insisted that the general elections must not be altered and that nothing should be done to change the dates.

“Recall that in 2015, there was insecurity too to the extent that some local government areas, specifically in Borno State, were in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists.

“Yet elections were held. There also was insecurity in 2019 and elections were not stopped.”

Reacting to alarm by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to postpone the general election which begins next month, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Jare Ajayi said: “Every effort must be made to ensure that the general elections slated for February and March this year not only hold successfully but also that winners emerge and are sworn in on May 29, 2023, as stipulated by relevant laws.

On Monday, INEC warned that the general elections face serious threat of cancellation unless the security situation is improved.

According to INEC time table, the presidential and National Assembly elections are 45 days away, while the governorship and state assembly polls hold a fortnight afterwards.

At the validation of election security training resources held in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu raised an alarm over rising security situation across the country and its impact on the elections.

The INEC chairman declared that “if the insecurity is not monitored and dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in the cancellation and/or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of election results and precipitate constitutional crisis.

“We all appreciate the fact that election security is vital to democratic consolidation through provision of enabling environment for the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections and thus strengthening the electoral process.

The Federal Government has however assured Nigerians that nothing would derail the elections, with 39th May, handing over date remaining sacrosanct.