Postponement shocks Jonathan

… Says shift cast doubts on INEC’s ability to conduct credible polls

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday expressed shock over the postponement of the National Assembly elections.

Jonathan, in a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), in Abuja said “we are at a loss as to why there were these kinds of avoidable lapses at the last minute.”

“This act of negligence is capable of portraying INEC in bad light and many are likely to question its ability to conduct a credible election,” he added, but stopped short of calling on the Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega to resign.

The statement reads in part: “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).

“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 kinds of avoidable lapses at the last minute.

“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, in spite 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.”