The Pan-Yoruba Socio-political Organization, Afenifere, has stressed that the dates of the 2023 general elections must not be changed and that they must stay sacrosanct.
The organization stated that every effort must be taken to guarantee that the general elections scheduled for February and March, respectively, not only take place successfully but also that winners emerge and are sworn in on May 29, 2023, as required by applicable legislation.
Afenifere’s response followed a statement issued by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC, that the seeming persistence of insecurity might negatively impact this year’s highly anticipated general election.
Afenifere said, “But we feel that there is the need to let anyone thinking of postponement or cancellation of the elections that such a thing is and will remain unacceptable, no matter the reason. We recall that in 2015, there was insecurity too, to the extent that some local government areas, specifically in Borno State, were in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists. Yet elections were held. There was also insecurity in 2019 and elections were not stopped.
“Afenifere felt the need to sound this note of warning so that whoever may be thinking of postponing or altering the election calendar should know that such a thing would not be accepted.
“In Nigeria, there is often the tendency to fly a kite. Most of the times, such kites are on policies or steps that were usually not in the best interest of the Nigerian public. This is why it is very important to clearly sound this note of warning without any ambiguity. This is why we are stating clearly that Nigerians are prepared for the elections just as the whole world is awaiting the elections. Nothing whatsoever should alter the schedule or cause postponement let alone cancellation,” Ajayi stated.
