Election Postponement: Give INEC benefit of doubt, Rivers residents urge Nigerians

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in a news conference in the early hours of Saturday, announced the rescheduling of the polls to Feb. 23 and March 9, citing logistics problems.

The presidential and National Assembly polls earlier fixed for Feb. 16 would now hold on Feb. 28, while governorship and state assembly election would take place on March 9.

INEC Boss, Mahmood Yakubu Pulse Nigeria

Some residents at Ward 6, Units 1, 3 and 6 in Woji town on Saturday told a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent that the delay was a welcome development.

Mr Somto Chibuike, 49, said he came out in the early hours of Saturday to vote, only to find his polling unit deserted.

He, however, said we should give INEC benefit of the doubt that it would conduct credible elections for whatsoever reason they had to delay the elections.

There is really no need to hurry or panic when the umpire said it is not ready with logistics for the exercise. I believe INEC can still deliver.

Mrs Monica Nnadozie, a civil servant, also said that the delay would give INEC the opportunity to make better preparations.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu Pulse Nigeria

She said though I was surprise with the postponement, I feel there has been so much tension in the build up to the election, especially in Rivers.

However, I am optimistic that the delay will help to calm down nerves and make people relax. Its a good decision as Nigerians demand credible elections.

A banker, Lucy Offor, also told NAN that the postponement may have been done in good faith but would leave huge financial burden on Nigerians.

She emphasised that it was important for Nigerians to have free, fair and credible elections that would reflect the will of the people.

A credible election free of violence is the interest of many as balloters prepare to head down to polling stations . [Twitter/INEC Nigeria]. A credible election free of violence is the interest of many as balloters prepare to head down to polling stations . [Twitter/INEC Nigeria]. Pulse Nigeria

However, Franklin Uzochukwu, called on INEC to ensure that necessary logistics needed for the elections were put in place early to avoid further delay.

He said any further delay of the elections would become a huge embarrassment to both INEC and Nigerians. It would also leave dire consequences on our economy.