The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally announced the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections previously slated to hold today, February 16, 2019.
This is as some journalists have hailed Straightnews as an authoritative and credible news source in publishing the story in its January 26, 2019 edition that INEC would postpone the elections.
According to Straightnews, “However, there are plots by INEC to postpone the elections referring to the (presidential/National Assembly elections scheduled for February 16 and Governorship/State House of Assembly elections slated for March 2, 2019) by two weeks to accommodate what an insider in INEC called ‘logistics problem.”
Briefing newsmen beginning from 2:43 a.m., Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, INEC chairman, said “proceeding with the election as scheduled is no longer feasible”.
Yakubu, therefore, said that the presidential and National Assembly elections had been moved to February 23, 2019.
The governorship and state assembly elections, he continued, were also moved by one week to March 9, 2019.
Sources close to the commission said the postponement was due to some logistics challenges faced by the commission in many states.
The electoral umpire is said to be facing difficulty distributing sensitive electoral materials to some states of the federation, an official said.
Some of the states where the logistic challenges are said to occur include Niger and Ekiti.
The statement read by the INEC Chairman:
“The Independent National Electoral Commission met on Friday, 15 February 2019 and reviewed its preparation for the 2019 general elections scheduled for Saturday, February 16, and Saturday, March 2.
“Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plans and its determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the election as scheduled is no longer feasible.
“Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential/National Assembly elections to Saturday, 23rd February 2019. Furthermore, the Governorship/State House of Assembly/Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections are 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. This was a difficult decision for the commission to take but necessary for the successful delivery of elections and consolidation of our democracy.
“The Commission will meet with key stakeholders to update them on this development at 2 P.M at the Abuja International Conference Centre.”
Straightnews gathered that a parliamentary election was held in Nigeria on 9 April 2011. The election was originally scheduled to be held on 2 April, but was later postponed to 4 April. A presidential election was held in Nigeria on 16 April 2011, postponed from 9 April 2011.
Also, the 2015 general elections was originally scheduled to hold 14 February but was later postponed to 28 March (Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives) and 11 April 2015 {Governorship and state house of Assembly.
However, some journalists have hailed Straightnews for its bravery and foresight in news hunt and skill in news scoop particularly in publishing the authoritative exclusive news.
Mrs Victoria Ibanga, the secretary-general of Nigerian Guild of Editors shouted “What a great news story to have been published by Straightnews!”
Cletus Ukpong, an assistant editor (South-South) with the Premium Times exclaimed “This is great to have come from Akwa Ibom State!”
Solomon Okpo, publisher of Evangelist, an Akwa Ibom-based newspaper described the news item as ‘prophetic’ in fulfilment.
