The APC in a statement by its Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at a press conference in Abuja, said plans had been concluded by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Presidency to use Thursday’s Council of State meeting to secure the approval of members of the Council for the postponement of the electionsThe All Progressives Congress on Wednesday said it was aware of a plot by the Presidency to drag members of the Council of State into its efforts to postpone the upcoming general election.
The APC in a statement by its Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at a press conference in Abuja, said plans had been concluded by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Presidency to use Thursday’s Council of State meeting to secure the approval of members of the Council for the postponement of the elections scheduled for February 14 and 28.
The Council is made up of former Heads of State and former Chief Justices of Nigeria among others.
Odigie-Oyegun said members of the Council, who are Nigerians held in very high esteem, with their proposed involvement in the postponement of the election, would damage the democratic process and it will be a serious disservice “to our national assets in leaders”.
He said the APC is however encouraged by the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission had restated in clear and unambiguous terms its determination and ability to conduct the elections as planned.
He said the push for the postponement of the elections was an attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party to avoid certain defeat.
He added in the statement read at the press conference on Wednesday: “It is the constitutional prerogative of INEC to set election dates which nonetheless should meet at least the minimum threshold of confidence.
“We recognize that it had challenges but these are challenges that have been or are being seriously tackled by the Commission, and the engineered clamour for postponement is not helping the situation.
“Attempts to rubbish INEC’s preparations in order to achieve a postponement are being seen for what they are: a desperate ploy by the PDP administration to avoid certain electoral defeat.
“Unfortunately, in the process, the polity is being overheated to dangerous levels, with consequences that might be unpredictable at this stage.
“Nigerians understand where the orchestrated attempts involving instigation of political parties and other groups, flimsy legal challenges and cynical manipulation of national elders and leaders are coming from. These are part of the PDP script to deny Nigerians their right to choose their leaders on the 14th and 28th of February.
“APC has faith in the distinguished members of The Council of State, and advises them not to become tools in the hand of an administration that wants to subvert our fragile democratic process. INEC should be allowed to perform its duties without overbearing interference from other institutions of State and the evil machinations of the PDP.
“APC reaffirms its commitment to fully participate in the general elections on February 14th and 28th as planned and will not accept any postponement.
