FG, Others Insist on Holding February Election
Various reaction has trailed the proposed postponement of the 2023 general election. The electoral umpire had on Monday stated that due to insecurity in the country, the proposed date for the election might be shifted or cancelled.
However, the Federal Government has said that despite security challenges, the 2023 general elections will hold across the country.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed gave the assurance on Tuesday at the 17th edition of President Muhammadu Buhari’s scorecard series from 2015-2023.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to respond to inquiries from the media over a widely-circulated report, credited to an INEC official that the 2023 general elections face a serious threat of cancellation due to insecurity.”
“The position of the Federal Government remains that the 2023 elections will be held as planned. Nothing has happened to change that position. We are aware that INEC is working with security agencies to ensure that the elections are successfully held across the country.
“The security agencies have also continued to assure Nigerians that they are working tirelessly to ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere. Therefore, there is no cause for alarm.”
On Monday, INEC issued a warning over the country’s deteriorating security situation and its potential effects on the 2023 general elections. The commission lamented that over 41 attacks have been carried out against its offices across 14 states since the 2019 general election, with the South-East recording 13 attacks.
Speaking on the issue, the Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson of All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Festus Keyamo, noted that INEC might have over-stated the issue of insecurity.
He said: “The election should not be postponed as it would cause a constitutional crisis due to the time allotted.
“We had insecurity in 2015 but did it cause postponing the election? The INEC chairman may have over-stated this but it’s not big enough to cause postponement of the general elections.”
