Text Of Media Briefing By Change For Africa On Election Postponement

Text Of Media Briefing By Change For Africa On Election Postponement

Good morning, Members of the press and my Colleagues at Change For Africa.

All of us at Change for Africa are disappointed like every other well meaning Nigerians at the last minute decision of INEC to postpone the Presidential & National Assembly Elections from February 16, 2019 to February 23, 2019 abysmally. 

All our election observers have been deployed across the 774 local government areas to observe the elections, and give accounts of their observations. This is an essential part of our contributions as a Civil Society Organization to the strengthening of our democracy, and national aspiration for good governance, growth & development. 

However, we are comforted by INEC’s audacious decision to protect the integrity of our elections in the face of all sorts of logistics challenges. As displeasing as their decision is to most of us as Nigerians, we believe that it’s invariably good for our democracy.

We implore INEC to remain independent at all times, reject any form of political or executive interference in the discharge of their electoral responsibilities, and ensure no voter is disenfranchised in the conduct of our elections.

We ask all observers, domestic and foreign to remain resilient and prepare to observe the elections at the new dates. And advise all Nigerians to be calm, keep faith and trust in INEC to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

Our motto is love, sacrifice, and forgiveness as we believe that a nation of people that can embrace the selfless values of sacrifice, forgive easily, and love themselves as fellow citizens, is surely a nation that prospers.

Therefore,  we believe it is imperative to all stakeholders to let go of the past and make the necessary sacrifice to advance our democracy as a good example for the rest of Africa looking up to Nigeria for continental leadership. 

Thank you all and God bless Nigeria.