Election postponement a recipe for violence — Nigerians fume

The very moment news broke out that INEC's holding an emergency meeting on the eve of the general elections, rumors began making the rounds that plan to postpone the election is on the way. But Nigerians need not wait for long to find out what's at stake as the electoral body subsequently announced postponement of the polls following its meeting through the night.

Of course as you'd expect, reactions trailed the announcement as Nigerians express disgust over INEC's failure to learn from history and address issues likely to mar the successful conduct of the elections beforehand. Worst still, the electoral body is said to have acted much worse than what happened back in 2015 in that in 2015, the election was not only postponed due to security concerns, but was postponed weeks before the initial date set for the elections.

At this time it will be unsurprising to hear questions like what happens to those who had to travel for the elections? What happens to workers? Can we trust INEC? What would happen if PDP looses the election?

While there are lots of questions begging for answers, a section of Nigerians seem more worried about the INEC's decision saying it is a recipe for violence. They claim that oppositions will have a greater reason to reject the outcome of the election should the ruling party wins, on the premise that the postponement was actually used to mastermind rigging in favour of the APC.

Below are some of the reactions we compiled:

Subair Hollarjuwon said, "A government that does not rate you people. Election postponed 10hours before the day. If you’re being fooled youre not supposed to fool yourself. Your interest is not in their heart. Even Goodluck did not disrespect the people like this he postponed month before the day. Continue to wallow in gullibility if you still think APC or Buhari cares about you."

Blessing Markus says, "Who ever planning on rigging this postponed election Will not live Long to see 23rd February."

James Jim Andrew Gaya said, "What a country! where its citizens are taken for granted, after public holiday has been declared,economy crippled, this is a joke."

Timothy Tanko Emir said, "Ballot papers missing, thumb printed ballot papers arrest, does that ring a bell?"

Otuekong Favour questioned, "What will now happen to those sensitive materials already distributed across the country? How will INEC convince us that integrity of those materials will be intact by nextweek Saturday?"

This one is a bit different from Christiana Usoro, "People wey postpone their wedding to next week, abeg how them wan take do????hmmmn"

Williams Adams says, "Just when you thought peace pact could save the day, INEC has given oppositions the reason to question its credibility. I see this postponement as a recipe for violence. May God help Nigeria and Nigerians."

Marcus M Mavis, "I have two friends right now that won't be able to vote next week cause of there job. They took leave to vote and it have been shifted to next week. Imagine how many people is out there not with similar situation."

Oseibi Kubuye said, "Inconclusive preparation begets inconclusive elections. Another inconclusive elections in the waiting. But we'll never reinforce failure."

Nancy Moran said, "God what did we do to deserve this sort of punishment, Nigeria is rescheduling an election on the eve of the voting day. This is unbelievable."

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