By Gift Olivia Samuel, The Sight News
ABUJA—A non-governmental organization, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria(HURIWA), has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure that it does not postpone the general elections any further, to avoid plunging the country into a civil war.
Recall that the Commission in the wee hours of Saturday, February 16, 2019, postponed the general elections scheduled to hold on February 16 and March 2, to February 23 and March 9 , citing “logistics challenges” and “bad weather” as reasons.
The HURIWA National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko who gave the warning while briefing journalists in Abuja on Monday, stressed that INEC must not under any circumstances postpone the elections any further.
Onwubiko, took a swipe at some section of the Nigerian youth defending INEC’s decisions and illogicalities, adding that the youth must rise and hold their government accountable.
“I appeal to our young people to grow up and go and see how youth in other climes hold governments accountable to their duties. We need youth who don’t rely on godfathers and become thugs for them. It is unfortunate that the youths are defending INEC’s illogicalities”, he said.
He called on INEC to identify the individuals that sabotaged the elections within, adding also that the Commission should desist from trading words with politicians over extension of campaigns due to the postponement.
In his words, “We are warning INEC not to push Nigeria into a civil war, because that is what they intend to do. Most of them have their children abroad, do they want to destroy the country for the masses?
“INEC must never under any circumstances postpone the election any further. They should identify the individuals that sabotaged the elections within and any further postponement of the election should be taken as high treason”.
Onwubiko, further called for the arrest of INEC officials if they dare postpone again, adding that the officials should be tried as coup plotters.
He also noted that, “INEC and APC politicians are now exchanging words like traders, this disgrace must stop, they should go back to the drawing board and ensure that elections are conducted free and fair.
“INEC cannot tell politicians not to campaign. Politicians have the right to go about their campaign in peace”, he said.
While commending the military for demonstrating readiness for the election by setting up situation room to monitor the elections, Onwubiko further charged the armed forces and the police to watch out for politicians that are out to destroy the country.
