Jonathan Says Handover Date is Sacrosanct as US Decries Polls’ Postponement
In a bid to allay concerns over the postponement of the polls originally scheduled to commence this Saturday, President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said he remained committed to the sanctity of May 29 as the terminal date of his first term in office.
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His assurance to the public came on the back of the condemnation by the United States of America of the postponement of the polls, and the grudging acceptance by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which however warned that it would not tolerate a further attempt to defer the general election.
In a statement by the president's spokesman, Dr. Rueben Abati, the presidency said: “Following the adjustment of the dates for the 2015 general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11, President Goodluck Jonathan has reassured the nation of his commitment to the sanctity of May 29, 2015 as the terminal date of his first term in office.
“He strongly reaffirms that May 29 is, has been, and will remain sacrosanct.”
Abati said the president is appealing to all stakeholders to accept the adjustment of the election dates by INEC in good faith, as the electoral body has a responsibility to conduct credible elections in which every Nigerian of voting age is afforded the opportunity to exercise his/her civic right without any form of hindrance.
“President Jonathan believes that this is not a time to trade blame or make statements that may overheat the polity, but a time to show understanding and support the electoral commission to conduct the elections successfully.
“Nigeria is definitely greater than any of us, and much more important than our individual ambitions. Before us there was Nigeria, and long after we are gone there will still be Nigeria.
“What is at stake is the very survival of our country and no one must allow this temporary delay to abort this great opportunity,” he said.
His assurance to the public came on the back of the condemnation by the United States of America of the postponement of the polls, and the grudging acceptance by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which however warned that it would not tolerate a further attempt to defer the general election.
In a statement by the president's spokesman, Dr. Rueben Abati, the presidency said: “Following the adjustment of the dates for the 2015 general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11, President Goodluck Jonathan has reassured the nation of his commitment to the sanctity of May 29, 2015 as the terminal date of his first term in office.
“He strongly reaffirms that May 29 is, has been, and will remain sacrosanct.”
Abati said the president is appealing to all stakeholders to accept the adjustment of the election dates by INEC in good faith, as the electoral body has a responsibility to conduct credible elections in which every Nigerian of voting age is afforded the opportunity to exercise his/her civic right without any form of hindrance.
“President Jonathan believes that this is not a time to trade blame or make statements that may overheat the polity, but a time to show understanding and support the electoral commission to conduct the elections successfully.
“Nigeria is definitely greater than any of us, and much more important than our individual ambitions. Before us there was Nigeria, and long after we are gone there will still be Nigeria.
“What is at stake is the very survival of our country and no one must allow this temporary delay to abort this great opportunity,” he said.
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