Abbas Ochogwu writes INEC, wants 2019 elections postponed, gives reason

Renowned lawyer and human rights activist, Abbas Ochogwu, has written the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the need to postpone the forthcoming general elections.

The electoral body had scheduled February 16 for presidential and national assembly election and March 2 for governorship and house of assembly polls.

However, Ochogwu is calling on INEC to shift the exercise on the ground that many eligible Nigerian Voters, especially students will be disenfranchised as a result of the protracted strike action and this will not allow for credible elections.

Ochogwu conveyed his feeling in a letter obtained by DAILY POST on Tuesday.

He wrote, “With great sense of responsibility, patriotism and national interest, I commend the efforts of INEC towards conducting credible and successful general elections in 2019.

“However, I am constrained to call on you to postpone the 2019 general elections pending the suspension of the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

“This is because despite modern day technological advancements, Nigeria is still backward in this area. For instance, a registered Voter in Wuse District of the FCT cannot vote in any other location within Abuja. More worrisome, is the fact that movements are usually restricted on election days.

“Why can’t we have voters’ cards like ATM Cards that we can use in voting anywhere in Nigeria or at least within the state of registration.

“This clarion call has become most imperative because many eligible Nigerian Voters’ especially students will be disenfranchised as a result of the protracted strike action and this will not allow for credible elections.

Shift the elections now.”