By LASU DON CONDEMNS POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTION
The last seems not to have been heard as reactions of Nigerians keep pouring in following the postponement of election dates by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The latest of such reaction is coming from a seasoned and learned political scientist of the Lagos State University, LASU, in person of Sylvester Odion Akhaine, PhD.
#INEC: See the new dates for Presidential and Gubernatorial elections
The erudite scholar joined majority of Nigerians to condemn the sudden announcement from INEC in his statement made available to BlackBox Nigeria today which was titled ‘A National Insult.’
Dr. Akhaine who is known for his vast knowledge in Political Science regarded the whole postponement by INEC as abrupt, reckless and insensitive which doubled as a show of shame from the electoral umpire.
Reactions Following INEC’s Postponement Of General Elections
He further regarded the move by INEC as a betrayal to a nation that was prepared for a free and fair general election which according to him represents the height of hypocrisy which calls to question the commission’s integrity and neutrality.
In his words:
“I like to join millions of disappointed Nigerians to condemn in unequivocal terms the abrupt, reckless and insensitive postponement of the General Elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The postponement is a wanton display of lack of shame, and unquantifiable affront on the psyche of Nigerians who had hoped to exercise their franchise on the polling day.”
“Here is a sensitive national agency adequately provisioned to mind the electoral process and had assured the nation of its preparedness to conduct free and fair elections. So, to betray that process at the last minute is the height of hypocrisy and the action calls into question its integrity and neutrality as an umpire.”
In his statement, the Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University regarded INEC’s excuse for postponement as baseless lacking necessary convincing rationale which depicts recklessness and insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians.
Watch As Fela Durotoye Reacts To Election Postponement
“The lame excuse of logistical problem is empty and unconvincing rationale for its act of recklessness and insult on the sensibility of Nigerians given the circumstantial evidence before this act of national shame. Indeed, there were indications that the current minders of the Nigerian state feared defeat and had sought to postpone the election to optimise their electoral fortune.” The statement read.
Dr. Akhaine who earned his PhD in Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London finally expressed conviction that INEC is merely fulfilling its own part of a conspiracy orchestrated by the powers that be. He concluded that the electoral umpire should take note that only a free and fair election can make legal the stay of any government in power and not the other way round.
His concluding words:
Therefore, INEC merely fulfil its part of an ungodly conspiracy to foist a civil dictatorship on the country. Need we remind them that the peoples of Nigerian are the boss and no cabal can undo that. Those who live under the illusions that they can foist unwanted governments on the country should review our very recent history. Generals Gowon, Babangida and Abacha overshot their luck with Nigerians and they were disgraced out of power. The incumbent would not be an exception.
Let it be noted that it is only a free and fair election that can legitimise any government in power; those who force themselves into power merely live on borrowed time.
Long live Nigerian People!
