Shitta-Bey Backs Postponement Of Elections

The presidential candidate and National Chairman of the Mega Progressive Peopleâ€s Party, MPPP, Hon. Rasheed Shitta-Bey says the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to shift the National Assembly polls by a week “is a welcome development.”

In a statement on behalf of the Patriotic Electoral Alliance of Nigeria in Lagos, Shitta-Bey said the postponement enjoyed the support of political parties and this confirmed the good rapport between INEC and the stakeholders.

“This decision was taken in consultation with the existing political parties and stakeholders. This is not the affair of an individual or group of persons. Shifting the election timetable in the first place is condemnable, but there is no better option. INEC should not repeat the postponement. INEC should do its work properly before the commencement of election on 9 April, 2011,” Shitta-Bey said.

He frowned at the negative comments from some quarters on the shifting of the polls and argued that stakeholders should have been more focused on how to ensure the success of the 2011 general elections.

“It is sad that some political bigwigs are not thinking of how to ensure the success of the coming elections. The joy and expectations of Nigerians at the commencement of the polls should be considered and not dampened with their comments,” he added.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga