Fashola finally collects his PVC, faults election postponement

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Sunday expressed
disappointment at the rescheduling of the general elections from
February 14 to March 28 by the Independent National Electoral
Commission.
He told journalists after collecting his Permanent Voter Card at his
ward in Surulere Local Government Area that the change in date for the
elections lacked merit.
Fashola said the claim by the security agencies that they could not
guarantee security for the elections as initially scheduled indicated
lack of preparedness for the polls on the part of the election
management body.
While describing the rescheduling as "a low point in governance," the
governor said the shift was capable of undermining the nation's
democracy and investment.
"I think Nigerians must be disappointed by the postponement of the
polls from February to March because it seems as if INEC was ambushed
to take that decision.
"The shift will have consequences for us as a nation; the credibility
of our governance is regrettably diminished. I do not know of any
serious democracy that has set election dates then change them.
"I think when a country sets a process in motion like this, it ought
to know that there would be political and economic consequences.
"Investors watch what is going on. It is really disappointing and when
you hear the Federal Government saying they cannot guarantee security,
it is more disappointing.
"Security is the primary responsibility of the government and whether
the nation holds election or not, it is the duty of government to
provide security.
"If countries like Afghanistan and Syria where there is war, internal
conflicts still had elections ,I do not see why we can't," he said.
Fashola added that, "Again, we had elections in 2011 and some of these
terror acts had started in 2010. So where was the ability to guarantee
security then ?" he said.
Firstclassnewsline.net
Fashola, however, appealed to Nigerians to remain calm over the
development, stressing the need for them to shun anything that could
breach peace.
He noted that the postponement of the polls from Febuary to March is
only a matter of time, saying that eligible voters will eventually
exercise their franchise.
The governor however said that he was glad to collect his PVC at last
and enjoined residents who had not collected theirs to do so.
He appealed to INEC to extend the PVC collection deadline to enable
more Nigerians pick up their voter card.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governor had earlier
addressed a crowd of Arewa APC supporters at the Tafawa Balewa Square,
where he urged them to eschew violence.
He said no matter how much they were provoked by supporters of the
other political parties, they should stay out of trouble.
Fashola urged members to step up campaigns to ensure victory for the party.
Firstclassnewsline.net