By Habiba Broger (NAN)
A cross section of Nigerians in Europe said the postponement the 2019 General Elections by INEC was a “sad, insensitive and a conspiracy against the Buhari administration”.
They stated this on Saturday against the backdrop of the postponed presidential elections to Feb. 23.
In telephone interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bern, they expressed disappointment over the development which they described as act of incompetence.
Mr Bayo Michael, Chairman of the Nigeria In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Brussels, said that the decision taken by INEC reeks of “insensitivity, irresponsibility and incompetence”.
“In saner climes, INEC chairman’s announcement would have been followed by a letter of resignation.
“However, unless you are directly involved in the decision making, it can be hard to empathise with or understand the logic behind some decisions taken.’’ he stressed.
Similarly, Mr Godwin Azu, a political Analyst in London described the postponed election as “highly suspicious and unacceptable”.
“We in the diaspora are highly disappointed with the 11th hour development by INEC, which is greatly unprofessional of an election umpire at a highly volatile election moment to cancel an election on the day of election.
“Many of our Diasporas who have traveled to join the international community and domestic observers to observe the election, I am sure, are equally shocked and disappointed on the turn of events.
“The very credibility of INEC chairman and his entire team is now at stake, he has to legitimately prove his innocence and genuine honesty for making the final decision to postpone the elections on the 11th hour,” Azu said.
In the same vein, Dr Rita Odey , a member of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK(CANUK) said that the move was to discourage people from performing their civic responsibility.
“People traveled from Europe to Nigeria for this purpose under tight circumstances. To postpone an election on the day of voting speaks volume.
“INEC had four years to plan for this election, if it couldn’t deliver as we are now made to believe, it should have announced it since Feb.1 in order for people to adjust their plans.
“This is a grand conspiracy against the Buhari administration. Nigerians must rise against this by turning out en mass to vote him back into office on Saturday.
Others who spoke from Spain, Germany and Italy said they were not against the postponement but the timing of the announcement.
While urging INEC to make adequate preparation ahead of the new dates slated for voting, they called on voters to be resilient and committed to their civic responsibility.
NAN gathered that a large number of Nigerians in Europe are in the country to vote and also serve as observers in the election.
NAN
