President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that despite a shift in the dates of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11, the May 29 handover date remains sacrosanct.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president appealed to stakeholders to accept the adjustment of the election dates by INEC in good faith, saying the electoral body had a responsibility to conduct credible elections in which Nigerians of voting age were afforded the opportunity to exercise their civic right without any form of hindrance.
He said this was not a time to trade blames or make statements that might overheat the polity, but a time to show understanding and support the electoral commission to conduct the elections successfully.
“President Jonathan believes that this is not a time to trade blames or make statements that may overheat the polity, but a time to show understanding and support the electoral commission to conduct the elections successfully.
“It is the president’s understanding that INEC’s decision ought not to generate acrimony since it acted within its powers under the law and in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
“He calls on the international community, civil society and the electorate to continue to support the administration’s commitment to a free, fair, credible, and non-violent electoral process,” the statement stated.
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