The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says there is no backpedaling on its choice on electioneering campaigns in the nation.
The INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who talked at a stakeholders’ gathering on the general elections in Abuja.
The electoral umpire assembled the conference to address political parties and others following the postponement of the polls at initially meant to begin on Saturday.
While Professor Yabuku was responding to an inquiry regarding whether campaigns would continue or not, “Will campaign resume? Campaigns closed at midnight of Thursday last week and for the period that remains, campaigns will remain closed.”
He disclosed that notwithstanding the issues of campaigns, there is no arrangement to continue the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) for the electorate.
According the INEC chairman, the various procedures as provided for in the main timetable and schedule of activities will remain in force.
He further reacted to an inquiry from party chairman who inquired as to why the commission would not apologize to Nigerians who had hung tight calmly for the elections.
Professor Yabuku noted that he had done this “in the last paragraph of my statement, in spite of the fact that he didn’t utilize use “exactly the same adjective”.
He said the staffs of the discretionary body under his leadership were accountable to officers responsible to the Nigerian individuals.
The INEC supervisor said their first duty was to ensure the enthusiasm of the general population and promised that they would consider the obligation important.
He urged “On my behalf as chairman and on behalf of the commissioners, we regret what happened yesterday, or early this morning.”
On why they held up until the early long periods of Saturday before declaring the move, Professor Mahmood clarified that INEC was certain that the surveys would go on as planned.
“For three days, since Wednesday, many of the commissioners, including myself have virtually been sleeping in Abuja Airport,” he expressed.
He added “We mobilized all national assets to ensure that we deliver what remains of electoral logistics to locations and to conduct the elections.”