Nigerians woke up this morning to the news that the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for today February 16 has been postponed by 7 days and will now hold on Saturday, February 23.
The news was greeted with mixed reactions as the Independent National Electoral Commission announced that it shifted the elections due to challenges with logistics arrangements.
Nigerian celebrities have also joined millions of Nigerians who have expressed their disappointment for not being able to go ahead with the exercise.
Nigerian Singer, actor and politician, Banky W who is contesting for a seat at the National Assembly described the situation as frustrating, especially for Nigerians who had other plans which will be disrupted by the change of date.
While we are all frustrated, please spare a thought for people who are most affected by the postponement… like our corpers who had to spend the night in terrible sleeping conditions, people who had weddings or other milestone occasions planned, etc. May God help us all.
— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) February 16, 2019
Pop star, Davido, who has been very active in the political scene used the opportunity to clown the APC led government, saying there is nothing wrong if the incumbent president to wants to be on the seat for one more week.
There’s nothing wrong in wanting to be President for one more week .. the seat sweet 😂 #DefendYourVote
— Davido (@iam_Davido) February 16, 2019
Nollywood actress and United Nations ambassador, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, questioned the relevance of the NYSC scheme as she beamed light on the plight of corp members engaged by INEC as ad-hoc staff for the exercise as many were seen sleeping outside in unpalatable conditions without adequate provisions for their welfare.
I still maintain what I said about this program some years Ago. Is this compulsory? Why do you accept to do this and put yourself in harms way? Why do parents Allow their children do this? @inecnigeria is this how you should threat ppl’s children “serving” Nigeria? #NYSC pic.twitter.com/TJU61O3lJC
— Omotola .j. Ekeinde (@Realomosexy) February 16, 2019
Others celebrities had the following to say:
How disrespectful!!!
How they hold us in such utter disregard!
No apology?!!! 😡😤
Just an announcement?
Do you know how much money has been lost collectively?
People locked their shops,… https://t.co/jaWqYXt9jq— Omoni Oboli (@Omonioboli) February 16, 2019
” INEC has ONE single major primary RESPONSIBILITY. ONE single deliverable. 4 YEARS to plan. Yet…..failure is what one gets”
— Kate Henshaw (@HenshawKate) February 16, 2019
In one fell swoop @inecnigeria gives credence to every single spurious story concerning/questioning their ability to conduct free and fair elections. Now everything is suspect. Why are you so predictable? To think I actually shot a PSA for this crap.🙄🚶♀️
— Iretiola Doyle (@IretiolaDoyle) February 16, 2019
The postponement of the general elections have shown how incompetent INEC and it’s officials are; they had 4 years to prepare for this election, but decided to show nothing for it like the current administration. Cc.
— K-SOLO (@OBAKSOLO) February 16, 2019