In the early hours of Saturday, the Nigerian electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) finally put to rest the rumours that had been circling for hours.
INEC announced that the presidential election set to hold across the country on Saturday, February 16, 2019 had been postponed for one week. According to INEC, “following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan and the determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible.”
Rescheduling an election only a few hours before it is set to hold casts a shadow of doubt on INEC’s capabilities to conduct a free and fair exercise and also, holds a lot of suspicion. Nigerians have taken to social media to discredit INEC and their reactions are justified.
See what they are saying:
INEC has confirmed that it has postponed the elections meant to hold today. This is deeply disappointing. We should not be preparing for elections as if we had 4 days to prepare for it, instead of FOUR YEARS! pic.twitter.com/mhZMjkR4o7
— Dr Joe Abah (@DrJoeAbah) February 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/MrAbuSidiq/status/1096639592357396481
So by Mon, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, even Friday, INEC did not properly assess its preparedness??
This a.m cancellation on the day of, hmmnnn I hope the cabal did not threaten INEC boss to do this under duress?
Mr Kyari's warning to foreign govt was laced in fear of losing
— Whole Woman Network Co-op (@wholewomancoop) February 16, 2019
INEC has ONE job. One. And they had 4 years to do it. So tell me, sway, how they can postpone because of "logistical and operational" challenges. Not only that, you're announcing while people are sleeping? Whoever is in charge shouldn't even be allowed to organise a groupchat.
— FK. (@fkabudu) February 16, 2019
Who has One Job every Four years and still fails to do it correctly?
INEC.
— Leo Dasilva (@SirLeoBDasilva) February 16, 2019
Someone out there fixed his/her wedding on the 23rd of February, INEC just ruined that.
— Mazi Olisaemeka C. Esq ™ (@OlisaOsega) February 16, 2019
INEC had one job and time and here we are. Public holidays were declared and productive man hours lost, weddings were fixed on the new election dates to avoid today, people travelled on pothole ridden roads or payed expensive flight tickets to make it to their polling units. pic.twitter.com/VvZcEfBodg
— Naomi Ekop (@NaomiEkop) February 16, 2019
Inec had 4 years plus a budget of 186billion
Its ridiculous to say the least that you are postponing an election a few hours before it is scheduled to start
Nigeria
We need to do better.
— Osi (@Osi_Suave) February 16, 2019
*6 months to #NigeriaDecides2019*
INEC: We're ready for this
*3 months*
INEC: We're ready
*1 month*
INEC: We're ready
*2 weeks*
INEC: Trust us, we're ok
*1 week*
INEC: Ready
*3 days*
INEC: Ready
*2 days*
INEC: Ready
*1 day*
INEC: Wait! We're not ready! Sorry 😭😭
— Ayo Sogunro (@ayosogunro) February 16, 2019