The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Ohaneze N’digbo, the two regional socio-cultural group that have been vocal on the general election are spitting fire over the postponement of the general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

National Secretary of PANDEF, Dr. Alfred Mulade said that the postponement of the election has posed a serious question mark on the sincerity, capacity, integrity, willingness and readiness of INEC to deliver free, fair and credible elections to Nigerians.

Mulade dismissed the bogus logistic impediment cited by INEC. According to him this did not add up.
”It is very clear that there is something that they know that they have not revealed to Nigerians. But, whatever it is, INEC owes Nigerians the sacred task of delivering elections that are free of manipulations by whoever. The votes of Nigerians must count” he said.

“Any attempt by INEC to manipulate the process towards any sinister predetermined outcome, to suppress and circumvent the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria will be resisted by Nigerians with monumental consequences” he warned.

According to him Nigerians are watching. INEC he maintained must ensure the sanctity of the electoral process, in all of its ramifications and parameters.

He told Daily Independent that that no reason was tenable enough to warrant the postponement of the elections.

“They had enough time to put their logistics arrangement in order. There was no national emergency to warrant this unfortunate postponement on election day” he said.

Also the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze N’digbo, Mr. Chuks Ibegbu, maintained that it is not yet clear of any good reason for INEC to postpone the election.
According to him, so far there are no good reasons and facts on ground to warrant the postponement.

“INEC told us that they were not shifting the election before now” he said; adding that until INEC comes up with good reasons nobody will be allowed to take Nigerians for granted.

He told Daily Independent that this election is make -or- mar election. “You get it right Nigeria will move forward, you get it wrong you are inviting anarchy” he said. Of the impression this will give the international observers he advised INEC to come out with good reasons and facts before the international community otherwise INEC will be sending the wrong signal to the international community.

Anambra State Chairman of Ohaneze, Damian Okeke-0gene expressed displeasure over the postponement. According to him, it is embarrassing and unfortunate to have postponed the election few hours to the election.

He wondered whether under the present circumstance, if the international community will take Nigeria serious over the election. “Again will the international observers go back to their various countries and come back for the postponed election. This is not good for the image of the country. We are disappointed with the Chairman of INEC because up till late Friday he gave the assurance that the election will hold” he said.

•Sourced from a Daily Independent report

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