EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Voters React To INEC’s Election Postponement

Following the suspension of the Presidential and National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC which was meant to take place today, some voters have been reacting to the development.

When The Whistler visited Nyanyan Gbagyi Primary School polling unit in Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State at 7:45am today, it was observed that only a handful of people were seen chatting in groups. 

In an interview, a voter with his permanent voters’ card in his hand, Emeka Eze said he was not aware that the election has been postponed and regretted the decision of INEC to postpone the election.

“I did not know that the election has been postponed, only for me to arrive here and discover. It is very painful. Imagine how they have shattered the hopes and sacrifices of most Nigerians who travelled long distances to vote. I feel INEC has an ulterior motive for this postponement. That reason they gave of logistics is not tangible,” he said.

When probed further why he thinks the commission has an ulterior motive, he simply said an umpire body like the INEC that has been planning this poll for long must have gotten everything it needs for the election. And with that he was done.

Responding in similar vein, another voter by name Isa Musa who spoke in pidgin noted that he was disappointed by the postponement, adding that he heard the news on his way to the polling unit.

“I don’t believe the reason the commission gave for the postponement. If they like they should shift it to next year I will still be patient and vote the candidate of my choice,” Musa added.

For another voter who simply wants to be referred to as Meg, disclosed that she felt bad that the elections were postponed but however opined that if the commission noticed some logistical issues that it anchored it’s reason for postponement on, then it is only important the election was postponed. This she said would help to conduct peaceful and credible elections.

Meg said she sees no political colouration to the whole issues.

For Mrs Funmi, another voter in a chat with the Whistler while on transit, the postponement was a deliberate effort of the ruling party to avoid the defeat that awaited it. This she further added was a way of making other voters who travelled long distances to vote only to be disappointed that the election won’t hold as planned.

“Fear catch them, I mean APC. They know that these voters will not be able to travel again by the next rescheduled date, thereby dampening their desire to vote their choice candidates. It is very bad for our country. It’s a bad precedence,” she said.