ASUU Upsets Over Elections Postponement

President of Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Nasir Fagge has expressed his disappointment after the electoral commission announced it would postpone elections until March 28, six weeks later than planned.

Fagge disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the security issue which prompted INEC to shift the polls was predicated on was not sufficient.

The presidential and National Assembly elections, earlier slated for Saturday, February 14, 2015, will now hold on Saturday, March 28, 2015.

The governorship and state legislative elections will hold on April 11, 2015.

This shift in dates was announced yesterday by Professor Attahiru Jega, National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Jega gave security advice from the service chiefs as reason for postponing the elections.

Fagge said that the nation’s security chiefs ought to have alerted INEC well ahead of time, of their inability to guarantee security during the elections.

He said that the current development would not speak well of Nigeria before international communities.

He expressed doubt if the six weeks extension would be enough to tackle the security issue believed to be the major reason for postponing the elections.

“However, if the election umpire has been convinced enough to have the elections postponed, especially as it concerns security, then let us give them the benefit of doubt.

“All I can say at this point is to call on Nigerians to organize themselves very well and keep their eyes open.

“I also want to seize this opportunity to appeal to them to use this period to ensure that they collect their voter cards and ensure that they do not only vote but also ensure that their votes count,” Fagge said. (NAN)