Date: 2019-02-20

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Dr Mike Omotosho, has expressed reservation over the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as presently constituted, to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the country.

He wondered why the election would be postponed midway when every Nigerian was anxious to cast their ballots.

Omotosho, in a statement issued in Ilorin, said he received the news of the election postponement with utter rude shock, pointing out that the development casts doubt on the readiness of the electoral umpire to undertake polls that would be acceptable to all.

He recalled that the credibility crisis could also be viewed from the failure of INEC to release the report of Labour Party national convention, which it observed in February 2018 for public consumption.

A one time governorship candidate of Labour Party in Kwara State noted that the commission had been provided with the requisite wherewithal to ensure the processes were hitch free.

He also expressed worry that election postponement seems to have become a syndrome in the nation's democratic evolution, warning against acts that could turn Nigeria a butt of joke in the comity of States.

Omotosho said there was urgent need for INEC to reassure Nigerian electorate of its ability, competence and readiness to conduct elections that would not only be credible but seen and accepted to be credible.

The Labour Party Chairman called on INEC leadership to take stock of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials deployed to various local government areas prior to the shift in the poll dates so as to avoid being tinkered with.

He noted that despite the postponement with attendant disappointment, Nigerians were ready to exercise their civic responsibilities and choose their preferred candidates in the elections.

"The postponement of the general elections appears to have become a syndrome in the democratic evolution of this country. This development, no doubt, exposes Nigeria to ridicule and gradually turning a butt of joke in the comity of states.

"On own part, we are a bit worried about this unfortunate and sad development. As a political party, we have our reservation against the ability, competence and readiness of INEC as presently constituted to conduct elections that would not only be credible but seen and accepted to be credible.

"The INEC leadership owes it a duty to reassure Nigerians, who took pains to travel to their states from far away distances, that it is ready to conduct free, fair and credible elections that would be reflective of the wishes of the people", Omotosho said.