Election Postponement: Reflection of ineptitude, compromise – Aborisade

A human rights lawyer, Comrade Femi Aborisade has said the postponement of the 2019 elections is a reflection of ineptitude, impunity and likely compromise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In an interview with The Guardian, the labour activist said the development indicated that INEC and the Federal Government are taking Nigerians for granted.

He said: “I know voters are angry, sad and disappointed. The voters are shocked. The postponement is a reflection of a combination of ineptitude, incompetence, impunity and a compromised INEC. From reports of burnt electoral materials in INEC offices (instead of the materials being in safe custody of Central Bank of Nigeria) to media reports of persons caught thumb-printing in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to death threats to international observers, now a sudden postponement at the eleventh hour. The postponement shows INEC is not only a failure but a compromised institution. 

“The integrity of the electoral materials that have been dispatched to various states and local governments is at stake. INEC and the APC-led Federal Government are responsible for the security of the electoral materials and the APC is an interested party in the election. INEC does not enjoy the confidence of the public that the integrity of the dispatched electoral materials would remain intact”.