Nigeria’s main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) party said its presidential candidate, former General Muhammadu Buhari, will not accept any attempt by the government to postpone the February 14 vote. APC National Public Secretary Lai Mohamed said the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election, has been canvassing media houses trying to influence editorial opinion in favor of a postponement. The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has not directly come out in favor of postponement, but National Security Advisor Sambo Dasuki suggested last week that the elections should be delayed because not all voter cards had been distributed. The government has accused the opposition of politicizing the threat of the Islamic insurgency, Boko Haram. Mohamed countered that the government is using the violence as an excuse not to have the election because Jonathan knows he would lose badly in areas under Boko Haram’s control.
“The PDP is going around media houses trying to influence editorial opinion to make a case for the postponement of these elections. Only this (Monday) afternoon, a pseudo non-governmental organization went to block all roads leading to the election commission office asking for 60 days extension. If any other group, which is not sponsored by the government [had done this], they would have been dispersed by the police,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it received no communication to postpone the elections and was going ahead with its preparation to hold them.
Full Article: Nigeria’s Opposition Rejects Any Election Delay.