Nigerians react as INEC postpones elections

ahmad aliyu 11:49 - 16 February 2019

INEC Boss, Mahmood Yakubu

Nigerians who went to sleep on Friday night with the expectations that they would cast their votes on Saturday, February 16 woke up to the sad news that elections have been postponed.

The announcement was made in the early hours of Saturday by the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

"Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan and the determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the Commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible".

"Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential and National Assembly Elections to Saturday, 23rd February 2019. Furthermore, the Governorship, State House of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections is rescheduled to Saturday, 9th March 2019.

"This will afford the Commission the opportunity to address identified challenges in order to maintain the quality of our elections," the INEC boss stated.

The announcement has sparked a lot of reaction on social media with Nigerians lamenting over the decision taken by the electoral body.

Here are some of the reactions:

I just discharged the cab guy who was going to take me around today.

You need to see how crest-fallen he looked. He said he had borrowed money to fuel his car yesterday in preparation for today's work. I wished I could give him something. I really wished.
— Nicholas 'The Brave' Ibekwe (@nicholasibekwe) February 16, 2019

Some people used their hard earned money to travel down to their respective voting locations,now that election got postponed,will there be provisions for them against next week or they're still expected to waste their money?#ThisIsNigeria
— Presh (Aspiring Ajala) 🇳🇬 🇰🇪 🇦🇪 (@splufikpresh) February 16, 2019

It's because we take things for granted in Nigeria, that same shit keps happening over & over again. This postponement few hours to election is utterly flabbergasting & unacceptable, & should not go unpunished. I equally ask for the resignation of the incompetent INEC chairman
— Peacock (@dawisu) February 16, 2019

*6 months to #NigeriaDecides2019*

INEC: We're ready for this

*3 months*

INEC: We're ready

*1 month*

INEC: We're ready

*2 weeks*

INEC: Trust us, we're ok

*1 week*

INEC: Ready

*3 days*

INEC: Ready

*2 days*

INEC: Ready

*1 day*

INEC: Wait! We're not ready! Sorry 😭😭
— Ayo Sogunro (@ayosogunro) February 16, 2019

When our uncaring airlines postpone our flights & just tell us it’s for “operational reasons”, they at least pretend to “regret any inconveniences this may cause.” INEC couldn’t even be bothered to pretend that it regrets any inconveniences caused to us. Poor! #NigeeiaDecides2019
— Dr Joe Abah, OON (@DrJoeAbah) February 16, 2019

THREAD 1
I want to cease this avenue to appeal to Nigerians not to allow this postponement to deter us, we are Nigerians and we are known for our doggedness and resilience, the inconvenience this poses cannot be over emphasized. #ThisIsNigeria #2019Elections #electionpostponed
— Osas of Edo ❁ (@Chief_Zaddy) February 16, 2019

INEC said the decision to postpone the elections was a difficult one to take.

According to INEC chairman, the electoral body will meet key stakeholders to update them on the development by 2pm at the Abuja International Conference center.