Presidential Elections postponed by a week to February 23 in Nigeria

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman

Nigerians woke up today to news that the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for today, February 16, has been postponed by a week to February 23.

The announcement was made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman,  Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in the wee hours of the 16th of February.

It also announced that the governorship and state house of assembly, FCT area council elections have also been shifted from March 2 to March 9.

According to INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the postponement was due to logistic and operational problems. This postponement of the election was reached after more than six hours of meeting between INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and 12 national commissioners in Abuja.

Here is the full statement about the postponement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met on Friday 15, February 2019, and reviewed its preparations for the 2019 general elections scheduled for Saturday, 16 February 2019, and Saturday 2 March 2019. 

Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan, and the determination to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible.
Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential and National Assembly elections to Saturday, 23 February 2019. Furthermore, the Governorship, State House of Assembly, and Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections are rescheduled to Saturday, 9 March 2019.  

This will afford the commission the opportunity to address identified challenges in order to maintain the quality of our elections. This was a difficult decision for the commission to take but necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy.  

The commission will meet with key stakeholders to update them on this development at 2pm on Saturday, 16 February 2019, at the Abuja International Conference Centre.  

Thank you very much.”