How Election Postponement Caused Deaths

It is no longer news that the 2019 general elections was postponed till February 23rd and March 9th respectively.

The sudden shift in the day of the presidential and national assembly election came as shock to many, as some had travelled to their hometown to perform their civic responsibility.

The postponement, however, caused diverse misfortune as some even lost their lives due to INEC’s impromptu decision.

The WHISTLER in this report, brings to the fore some of the tragedies that befell Nigerians as a reason of the postponement.

Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP lost their lives on Saturday after a meeting was converged between the party and the All Progressives Congress, APC.

It was learnt that members of the two partied in Bendeghe Ekiem Ward in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River has converged to sign a peace accord, but the event turned bloody leading to the death of the PDP chairman and four others.

Dr Oscar Ofuka, Special Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on Cocoa, who is from the community said, “We were convened by the elders and chiefs of our community to meet and sign a peace accord to forestall any outbreak of conflict between APC and PDP members, which has become rampant in the community in the run up to the election.

“We had gathered at the chief’s palace when some people invaded the place with knives and guns and began to attack us and I only escaped by hair’s breath.”

Founder and group CEO of the Chocolate City Entertainment, Audu Maikori, said he lost his friend who was travelling to his hometown to cast his vote.

He said, “I just lost a dear friend yesterday. He died on his way to his hometown in Akwanga – he was heading to perform his civic duty.

“If he only knew that INEC would cancel the elections, he wouldn’t have travelled. Who knows He might still have been alive today. #RIPJerry”.

I just lost a dear friend yesterday. He died on his way to his hometown in Akwanga – he was heading to perform his civic duty. if he only knew that @inecnigeria would cancel the elections, he wouldn’t have travelled. Who knows He might still have been alive today. #RIPJerry ??

— AuduMaikori (@Audu) February 16, 2019

Two persons lost their lives after a boat capsized in Ogheye, a community in Warri North Local Government Area in Delta State.

The two persons, with 11 other persons had left the community where they were to vote, following the sudden postponement of the general elections.

The boat conveying the 13 persons had capsized as a result of the high water wave in the early hour killing two.