A
abujagirl
Guest
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have kicked against the 2015 election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Both groups want all elections come 2015 to be conducted on the same day.
NEF in a statement signed by its spokesman, Professor Ango Abdullahi, wondered why INEC cannot conduct the elections the same day.
"There is nothing so significant about the dates that have been reeled by INEC; however, I do not see any reason for INEC’s inability to conduct the elections the same day because it is possible and this is done all over the world, so Nigeria cannot be an exception in this case.
"Apart from the possible bandwagon effect that is likely to be associated with the current outline as enunciated by INEC, the likelihood of a winning presidential candidate in the February 14 poll manipulating the subsequent elections cannot be ruled out,” he said.
A statement issued by ACF via its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Anthony Sani said, "We are uncomfortable with the sequence of the election. We prefer all elections to hold the same day in order to reduce cost and avoid bandwagon effect.
"But INEC has said there is no enabling law by the National Assembly that will make it possible for the elections to hold the same day; and we have also called on the legislature to make that possible. ACF prefers electoral disputes in courts to be disposed of before inauguration, but now INEC timetable is too close to inauguration. As a result, inaugurated winners will still use government resources to fight electoral disputes in tribunals and courts. That will be most unfair to the alleged losers in the elections and Nigerians,” the statement said.
NEF in a statement signed by its spokesman, Professor Ango Abdullahi, wondered why INEC cannot conduct the elections the same day.
"There is nothing so significant about the dates that have been reeled by INEC; however, I do not see any reason for INEC’s inability to conduct the elections the same day because it is possible and this is done all over the world, so Nigeria cannot be an exception in this case.
"Apart from the possible bandwagon effect that is likely to be associated with the current outline as enunciated by INEC, the likelihood of a winning presidential candidate in the February 14 poll manipulating the subsequent elections cannot be ruled out,” he said.
A statement issued by ACF via its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Anthony Sani said, "We are uncomfortable with the sequence of the election. We prefer all elections to hold the same day in order to reduce cost and avoid bandwagon effect.
"But INEC has said there is no enabling law by the National Assembly that will make it possible for the elections to hold the same day; and we have also called on the legislature to make that possible. ACF prefers electoral disputes in courts to be disposed of before inauguration, but now INEC timetable is too close to inauguration. As a result, inaugurated winners will still use government resources to fight electoral disputes in tribunals and courts. That will be most unfair to the alleged losers in the elections and Nigerians,” the statement said.
