POLLS: Shema, Aturu Task INEC To Sit Up

Katsina State Governor, Barrister Ibrahim Shema, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to sit up and address the challenges that marred the take-off of the April general elections.

In the same vein, Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Bamidele Aturu said the postponement was “worrisome and could have been avoided”.

Unaware of the cancellation of the election scheduled to kick off this morning, a cross section of the residents in Katsina state were still awaiting voting materials as at 2p.m.

Speaking with reporters at his country home in Dutsinma where he went to cast his vote, Governor Shema described the postponement as “unfortunate”. “It is a very unfortunate development. Unfortunate in the sense that organizing election by any nation is a very important process. I’m sure the human and material resources that have been deployed are all over Nigeria for the purpose of this election.

“The most important thing in the election process is to follow what the law requests. For us in Katsina state, all materials have been brought except the ECN form which I understand was brought this morning from INEC. Indeed accreditation has taken place in almost all the polling units in the nooks and crannies of the state. People were waiting to start casting their vote when this pronouncement came around 12 o’clock.

“Certainly people will not be happy about this development, but if it is the best way, I think Allah knows the best. All I will do is to urge the good people of Katsina state to consider this as part of their civic duties and to implore INEC to live up to its responsibilities and ensure this thing does not happen again.

“Our understanding is that the announcement by the National Chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega is that this election will hold on Monday Insha Allah! Monday is two days from now and I hope they will take adequate measures.”

By  Nnamdi Felix / Katsina