The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, says the postponement of the general elections will enable the Independent National Electoral Commission to embark on adequate preparations ahead of the rescheduled dates.
The minister said this on Saturday in Saki, Oyo State, while speaking with newsmen
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that INEC had shifted the presidential and National Assembly elections to February 23.
The Governorship and House of Assembly, as well as FCT area council elections, have also been shifted from March 2 to March 9.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, confirmed NAN report of the shift of the elections, attributing this to “logistic and operational problems.”
Shittu, who said this was not the first time elections would be postponed, argued that there was no sinister reason behind the postponement
He added that the period would enable his APC to intensify its campaign for all candidates on the platform of the party.
The minister also advised Nigerians to reject politicians who want to buy their votes.
But the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Musah Abdulwasi, described the postponement as “unfortunate.”
He, however, urged INEC to use the one week period to strategise anew and ensure that credible and fair elections are eventually conducted.
Abdulwasi urged his supporters to be calm and law abiding.