The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos State, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, has urged Nigerians to remain alert and ensure they fulfill their civic obligations by going out to vote on Feb. 23.
Martins spoke while reacting to the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday in Lagos.
He said the postponement, apart from the negative consequences on the socio-political and economic lives of the citizenry, had further dented the country’s image.
The cleric wondered why the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC arrived at the decision to suspend the elections late after several assurances to Nigerians of the commission’s preparedness to conduct free, fair and hitch-free elections.
“I join the rest of millions of well-meaning Nigerians to express my deep disappointment over the sudden postponement of the Feb.16, 2019 elections by INEC.
“The action is very regrettable and I consider it a serious betrayal of the confidence of millions of Nigerians who had prepared themselves to come out in their large numbers to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.
“This is most regrettable when one considers various implications of this postponement to many aspects of peoples’ lives.
“Apart from the huge sums of money that would have been lost due to the postponement, we can only imagine many inconveniences the decision would cause the citizens who have planned their weddings and other engagements to fit the election plans.
“Considering the amount of money made available to INEC, its promise of preparedness and the time at its disposal to put the necessary machinery in place, Nigerians certainly deserve an apology,” he said.
