8th February, 2015
President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that he will not exceed the May 29 handover date in office, noting that, “May 29 is sacrosanct”.
In a statement issued Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President, (Media and Publicity), he said the president’s will stay true to his words despite the adjustment by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the general elections.
“Following the adjustment of the dates for the 2015 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11, yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan has reassured the nation of his commitment to the sanctity of May 29, 2015 as the terminal date of his first term in office.,” the statement read.
“He strongly reaffirms that May 29 is, has been, and will remain sacrosanct. The President appeals to all stakeholders to accept the adjustment of the election dates by INEC in good faith, as the electoral body has a responsibility to conduct credible elections in which every Nigerian of voting age is afforded the opportunity to exercise their civic right without any form of hindrance.”
“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.”
The statement noted that: “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 said.