Adetokunbo Fakeye 
London, Feb. 16, 2019 (AltAfrica)-The governorship candidate of Allied Peoples Movement Governorship in Ogun state, Hon Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains a credible electoral body despite the abrupt postponement of the general elections.

Akinlade who stated this while speaking to journalists at his hometown in Agosasa, Ipokia local government area of the state said despite the fact that the postponement came to him as a surprise, he still believed that reasons for the postponement by INEC must have been in the best interest of Nigeria.

“I believe INEC is a credible body, I want to believe that whatever the reasons (for the postponement) were, would have been the ones in the best interest of our great nation. It is better to be done properly than to be done haphazardly and at the end of the day, we would start complaining. By then, we would have crisis in our hands”, he said.

The gubernatorial candidate observed that the postponement must have caused some inconvenience to electorate but submitted that no sacrifice was too much for the country.

“If it is something that will make things better for us, it is worth it. No sacrifice is too much for our country at this point in time.”

He appreciated the people that did not get the news on time, for turning out to vote, he said it was a sign that the people were ready more than ever to exercise their franchise while urging them not to be deterred by the postponement of the polls, adding that he was happy with the turn out of people today as it signified that his campaigns were not in vain.

“I am happy that people had actually gone to the polling units this morning, to cast their votes. It shows that the work we’ve done – we’ve gone to almost all the wards in the state, there are some traction in our effort. What would have worried me is that if they told me nobody came out this morning. Then I would have been concerned that despite all our effort over the last couple of months, there is voters apathy”. 

INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, had while briefing newsmen at the commission’s headquarters, announced that continuing with the election as earlier scheduled for today, 16th February, 2019, was no longer feasible.

He said, “Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan, and the determination to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible”.