• “The credibility of our democracy and governance is regrettably diminished” he says.
• Urges Nigerians to look beyond the smokescreen and see the shift as deferment of the imminent date of Change.
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Sunday expressed disappointment at the rescheduling of the General Elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on grounds of insecurity describing it as an abdication by the Federal Government of its primary duty of protecting the life and property of Nigerian citizens.
Fielding questions from newsmen after collecting his Permanent Voters’ Card at the State Senior Grammar School (Special), Surulere, Governor Fashola stressed that the postponement for reasons of insecurity was an ambush of INEC by the Peoples Democratic Party controlled Federal Government aimed at blackmailing and arm-twisting the electoral body to shift the date for the exercise.
The Governor, who described the shifting of elections as a great set back in democracy with “great implications” for the nation pointing out that the process and outcome of the elections were being watched globally.
“I think that when a country sets in motion a process like this, it ought to know that there would be political and economic consequences and that is why investors watch what is going on and the global
community”, the Governor said citing as example from the international scene when a British Prime Minister backed down during an election. Saying the postponement was a move by ruling party to avoid defeat at the elections, Governor Fashola dismissed the reason of insecurity being touted by the Federal Government noting that countries like Afghanistan, Syria and other countries where war and international conflicts exist have carried out elections even in the face of the
situation.
“I don’t see why the Federal Government should give that as a reason since it never objected when INEC set the date of the election. I mean it’s really a very low point for governance in this country because whether we go to elections or not, government will still have a duty to secure this nation and if countries like Afghanistan, Syria and all those countries where there was war and internal conflicts have held elections, I don’t see why not”, he said.
Governor Fashola appealed to disappointed Nigerians and party supporters to remain calm, adding, “This is just a matter of time and the momentum of Change is already on and the momentum is a Nigerian people’s momentum; but it’s just that it would have consequences for us as a nation, the credibility of our governance is regrettably diminished”.
“I think that the reality is that INEC was ambushed by the PDP and the Federal Government and I think Nigerians must be disappointed but I use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians to remain calm, especially to the supporter and members of the APC’, the Governor said.
Reiterating his rejection of insecurity in the country as excuse for the shifting of the polls, Governor Fashola noted, “Don’t even forget, we held elections in 2011. Some of these terror attacks have started as far back as 2010. Where was the ability to guarantee security then? So, I think Nigerians can see beyond this smokescreen, but it is a deferment of the imminent date of Change.
The Governor, who expressed satisfaction that he was able to collect his PVC at last urged those who have not collected theirs to do so before the closing date and hoping that with the postponement of the elections, from Saturday next week to March 28 and April 11, INEC would also consider extending the time within which people could still get their PVCs.
On the audio tape of alleging rigging of Ekiti elections, Governor Fashola expressed disappointment that some of the principal actors in the rigged election whose voices could be identified were still
denying the fact that they were involved even when people could identify their voices.
“Well, I am sure some of those people who spoke in that audio, especially the one who claims that the promotion of security officer is in his hands, and they have drawn the presidency into it. They said they were acting on behalf of the presidency. I am sure that fellow; even his grandchild will know that is his voice, so how he wants to deny it I don’t know”, the Governor said.
Noting that many people have already recognized the voice of the one who said the promotion of security officers is in his hands, Governor Fashola declared, “This must open the mind of the Nigerian people to what it takes to win an election”.
“When Governor Aregbesola was celebrating, I know what he went through, because we have been through it, we have been in opposition here and when we win elections in Lagos, as we have always done, we know what it takes to do so, to keep votes that are legitimately cast for us”, the Governor said.
He described the people in the audio as “the examples of some of the kind of base desperation for power that you can never see”, adding,
“So, why ordinary Nigerians are struggling in the sun trying to collect their PVC, trying to vote, you see what they are doing at night, you see how seriously that party that they represent takes your vote and your effort and your sacrifice for democracy. I am sure now that Nigerians are getting wiser, because all of the things that they thought was done in the dark, is now out in the open”.
On hand to receive the Governor at the State Senior Grammar School (Special), Surulere was the State Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Akin Orebiyi.
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