National Assembly Election Postponement Updates and Reactions from The Public

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It Is A Very Huge Disappointment, says Fashola

"THIS decision by INEC to suspend the elections has inflicted very huge disappointment on Nigerians, particularly those of us in Lagos here, but I want to first make this most important appeal that we should keep the peace, no matter how disappointed we are, we must restrain ourselves, remain law abiding and all the security agencies are implored to continue to remain vigilant and at full alert. I think we want to also examine the root causes of this, but clearly, there is a system failure here and the level of preparedness for this election has been called into question now and one wants to also say that it's too hasty for INEC to suggest that this elections would hold on Monday, if they couldn't get it right for this long, why should they be rushing into Monday.

"I think they should meet with all the political parties and I don't see why they can't take the opportunity now to take one week to plan and merge the next Saturday's election with this one. I think this is a better time to check their controls and all their systems to ensure that we do not have another setback by Saturday.

"I think the decision for Monday is rather hasty because I listened to Professor Jega saying that people haven't voted, I have voted, so therefore, ballot papers are out. I voted at about 12:20pm at my polling unit. So I think it's also important for INEC to remain calm and focused and get the fullest information about what caused this failure but I want to also advice Lagosians that the reason stated by INEC is that they don't have the result sheets, so it means that all the places where we have voted, they couldn't have written the final result, that is the reason they gave.

"But please be calm because I know a lot of efforts and patience and resources have been committed to it, but we would get it right, we must get it right, so it's important that we must remain calm, we would be addressing you again. But I think that INEC should meet with the parties now, as I am told that students could be writing WAEC examination on Monday. We don't want to disrupt their exams again because of the clear failures that have been exhibited here; there are so many possibilities and I urge people to collate their experiences as we would be announcing to you where there have been problems so that we can relate this back to INEC to use this as part of their planning process.

"Once again I thank all Lagosians for coming out to participate in the elections, sometimes this kind of things do happen, they are not excusable, but it does happen and it must be our resolve as a people to get it right."

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We Are Surprised, Says TMG

"WE are very surprised at the turn of events today, despite INEC's assurances to the contrary. However, we salute the courage of Prof. Jega and the INEC leadership for the difficult decision to own up their faults and take responsibility. It is better corrected early than to go ahead to conduct shoddy election, which outcome would have thrown Nigeria into confession at the end of the day.

"Another day of sacrifice would only shorten our long years of poverty and underdevelopment. So Nigerians should be more determined to come out en masse to be part of a new day that will redefine their future and halt the unbroken years of discontent to help move the country from mere government to purposeful governance. The National Assembly election is a key election that can bring about a key institution of government through which genuine desire and the interest of the people can be voiced.

NHRC Wants Jega to Step Down

The National Human Rights Commission of  Nigeria (NHRC) has described the postponment of Saturday's  election midway into the exercise as "national fiasco of monumental significance"

The group in a statement by its Executive Secretary, Roland Ewubare,said the position of the Commission over thedevelopment was no longer  tenable,asking that chairman of the Commission,Prof Attahiru Jega steps down immediately in the interest of the nation.

It said,"Prof. Attahiru Jega's position as Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is no longer tenable. He must now step down immediately in the national interest.

"Prof. Jega was given almost one billion dollars to run this election - and he can't even get ballot papers printed on time? He has created a national fiasco of monumental significance."

From Lawrence Njokwu, (Enugu)

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PDP Presidential Campaign Council reacts

The PDP Presidential Campaign Council views with  shock and consternation the  circumstances leading to the postponement of the National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to Mallam Abba Dabo Director, Media and Publicity, given the enormous resources and logistic preparations that  INEC  claimed to have put in place, we are at a loss as to why there were  these kind of avoidable lapses at the last minute.  This act of negligence is capable of potraying INEC in bad light and many are likely to question its ability to conduct a credible election.

It is really interesting  that this unfortunate incident happened less than 24hours after the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, addressed the nation and assured us of adequate preparations for the election. We sympathize with Nigerians who turned out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibilities only to be disappointed by this announcement.

However, inspite of the huge setback and difficulties occasioned by this unfortunate postponement, we call on our supporters nationwide to remain steadfast and turn out en mass once again to cast their votes on the new date INEC has fixed.

We hope that this time around, INEC will get it's acts right.

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 Failed polls a national embarrassment, says Oshiomhole

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has described the postponement of the National Assembly election as a national embarrassment and called for the prosecution of all who contributed to the failure of the general elections to hold in the state.

The Governor who spoke while addressing thousands of protesters at Auchi and Jattu in Etsako West Local Government Area of the State also declared Monday April 4 as a public holiday to enable the people vote.

According to the Governor, "today, I call on Professor Jega to investigate and prosecute those riggers who are responsible for this national embarrassment. I believe that Prof Jega means well, but he is surrounded by old time crooks who have been rigging elections even before 1999.

The Governor said, "the people were ready to vote, but INEC was not prepared" .

Comrade Oshiomhole also urged the people to see their coming out for the election as a sacrifice saying "I urge you to remain calm, insist that your votes must count no matter how long it takes. See your coming out today as a sacrifice".

He urged the people not to give up, saying "just go and take a rest today whenever they are ready to do the election we are ready. I ask you to go back peacefully and wait."

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ACN rejects Monday as new date for National Assembly poll

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has rejected Monday as the new date for the National Assembly election, which was postponed today (Saturday) due to the late arrival of the result collation sheet.

In a statement issued in Ilorin on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also described the bungling of the National Assembly poll as a national calamity and an avoidable embarrassment, which will further expose Nigeria to ridicule in the comity of nations.

It suggested that the National Assembly election should be held on Saturday, April 9th, while the Presidential election can be postponed to the middle of the upper week, and the Governorship/State Assembly election can still be held on April 16th.

''We reject this unilateral decision by INEC to fix the postponed National Assembly election for Monday. The new date does not give us enough time to re-mobilize our agents and put in place the necessary logistics.The only day between Saturday and Monday is Sunday, when banks do not open. Where does he expect us to get the funds to mobilize our agents for Monday's election? Only the PDP can quickly mobilise such funds. So that date cannot stand,  unless Jega is working against the opposition.

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Situation an embarrassing development, says Mimiko

Few minutes after the cancellation of the poll was announced by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko strongly expressed disappointment over the cancellation saying that "the situation was an embarrassing development".

Mimiko was speaking with newsmen in Ondo town while waiting to cast his vote after he and his wife, Olukemi have been accredited at Open Space, opposite Under Mango Tree polling unit in LodasaWard 7 in Ondo West local government area.

According to the Governor, "it is very embarrassing development, it is very depressing, but what can we do? The Chairman of INEC himself has announced that it has been postponed till Monday. We believe that there won't be any story to tell on Monday it is very depressing, very unfortunate. A lot of activities of activities and resources have been put into it. We will wait till Monday. There is nothing anybody can do about that.

Specifically, Governor Mimiko advised INEC to avoid disappointing Nigerians again, Mimiko urging the electoral umpire not to repeat this disappointing outing during the April 4, 2011.

His words, "INEC should go back to the drawing board and ensure that there won't be any excuse on Monday.

His words "it is very depressing, you can see the turn out of the people all over the state. Since it has been postponed, but INEC must put its acts together for the sake of this country.

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Election cancellation: MURIC salute Jega's courage

By Sulaimon Salau

CONTRARY to the face of disappointment expressed by many electorates in the country over the eventual cancellation of the first leg of the national elections, The Muslim Right Concern has acknowledged the courage exhibited by the national Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega for facing the truth early in the exercise.

Jega announced the sudden postponement in a press conference held in Abuja at about 12.50 noon, few hours after the voting exercise begun. The postponement was attributed to the non-delivery of vital electoral materials on time, as earlier scheduled by the commission.

He said: "I realize that we have committed enough resources in this exercise but we believe that what is what doing is what doing well and we are committed to conducting free and fair elections in this country."

President Jonathan, who also concurred with the reason for the postponement however urged Nigerians to be patient with INEC, assuring that his administration would ensure that the elections are done credibly, saying, "Nigeria is capable to conduct free and fair elections"

A statement signed by the Director, MURIC, Dr. Is-haq Akintola, said: "We are not surprised by this development because the few reports reaching the MURIC from our monitoring team have not been encouraging.

"In Eti-Osa, Surulere and Ojo Local Governments of Lagos State, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were yet to arrive as the polling stations as at 12 noon. The story is the same at Gatakonwa area, Oja Oba Bus Stop, Abule Egba.

"MURIC laments over this national tragedy but we salute the courage of INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, for having the courage to face the truth early in the exercise. The non-arrival of materials can hardly be blamed on him personally. We appeal to Nigerians to exercise patience at this critical moment in the history of our nationhood.

"Apart from logistic issues, the printing and delivery of electoral materials are very sensitive matters which involve security and the state of our infrastructure. The fact that many of INEC's materials had to be produced outside the country is pregnant with meanings. The level of corruption and the reputation of our politicians for rigging had kept INEC on the tip-toes of alertness and anxiety. These and other factors must be held responsible for what happened today".

He said event has proved that so far so good, INEC chairman has maintained his independent status. Unlike his predecessors, he has refused to dance to the gallery. Neither has he dined and wined with the high and mighty. "MURIC calls on Nigerians not to slay the goose that lays the golden eggs."

"The Federal Government must also leave Jega alone. President Jonathan in particular must avoid the temptation to seize the opportunity of today's postponement and the national embarrassment to get rid of a 'non-compliant' Jega and to replace him with a stooge. That will be an unmitigated disaster. Jega must be given the chance to prove his worth." He stated.

Source: National Assembly Election Updates

[Oguns]

9ga are very very worried for what happen today.nigerian shd forgive pro jaga and see what he wil give nigerians on moday.