A National Embarrassment, Says Buhari, Balarabe

PRESIDENTIAL candidate of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has decried yesterday’s postponement of the National Assembly as part of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) antics to scuttle the entire exercise, while former governor of Old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said it is a national embarrassment to the country.

The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) also said the situation speaks volumes of our inability to organise and manage the country.

Buhari who spoke through his spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said Nigerians started doubting the sincerity of President Goodluck Jonathan towards credible polls when the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) started giving contrary statements on the exercise.

He also opposed the postponement of the exercise to Monday, suggesting that it should be merged with the presidential election.

“The Monday arrangement will give the ruling party, PDP, an edge over the opposition parties. As it is, it is only the PDP that will have access to money between now and Monday. It should rather be postponed to Saturday and be merged with the presidential election,” he said.

Odumakin said the Federal Government and the PDP would be calling for revolution in the country if there is any attempt aimed at scuttling the electoral process.

…Depressing, Says Mimiko

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who was been accredited alongside his wife, Olukemi in his Ondo town before the news of the postponement came, described the situation as embarrassing and depressing as well as waste of resources.

“INEC should go back to drawing board and ensure that the exercise is hitch-free on Monday. It is very depressing, you can see the turn out of voters.”

Also, National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusola Oke, said the postponement is a national disgrace and a monumental waste.

Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) of the state, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, alleged act of sabotage.

Voters In Edo Jubilate

 
From Alemma- Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

It was jubilation in Owan East and West councils, which constitute Owan Federal Constituency of Edo State yesterday. Voters alleged that the soldiers sent to maintain law and order in the area were bias in the discharge of their duties.

The state chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Thomas Okosun, expressed disappointment over the development, just as a Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akhere Ugbesia called for the replacement of chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Atahiru Jega with a politician.

Action Alliance Presidential Candidate Knocks Jega

By Gbenga Akinfenwa

Presidential candidate of Action Alliance (AA), Martin Onovo, has described the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as incapable of organising credible elections, owing to the last minute cancellation of the exercise, while calling for the overhaul of the body.

“In the first place, there should not have been any election. The 2011 general elections are pre-rigged; the elections are a charade. How can a bias official organise credible elections?,” he questioned.