Residents of Ibadan, Oyo state capital, expressed their disappointment about the postponement of the election, though they maintained that they were determined to again come out next week to vote.
Meanwhile, commercial activities continued to pick up as the day went back with commercial drivers and motorcyclists on the roads, while traders displayed their wares.
One resident, Toyese Akande said, “It’s wrong as we were very ready to participate in the election. I know of someone who had to come down from Alakia down to Felele here just to participate in the election. I still can’t fathom the reason behind INEC’s decision to postpone the election. However, I am not deterred and will come out again next Saturday to vote. No matter the date fixed for the election, I will come out to participate.”
Similarly, Adewale Yetunde said, “It has happened before but we continue praying that God will help us in Nigeria. By the grace of God, I will come out again next week to vote.”
Annoyed at the development, one Ben John in Felele area of Ibadan, said he was willing to take to the streets in protest but lamented that he needed more Nigerians to join him in protest.
“In fact, I am not happy. I woke up this morning ready to vote only to hear that the election has been postponed. I expect every Nigerian to be on the streets to protest against this government for taking us for granted. How do you announce postponement three hours to the election? It is very wrong. I am willing to lead a protest if I can see other Nigerians willing to join me. I will still come out next Saturday to vote, Ben John said.
Reacting, Deputy Speaker, Oyo House of Assembly, Honourable Abdulwasi Musah expressed great disappointment and dissatisfaction with the decision of INEC to postpone the election.
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Especially noting that people has to travel far and wide to participate in the election, he described the postponement as a great let down and showed unpreparedness of INEC.
While urging Nigerians to remain resolute in performing their civic rights, Musah urged security officials to deploy their operatives to INEC headquarters at local governments to protect sensitive and nonsensitive materials in their custody.
In his reaction, legal practitioner, Kayode Ajulo flayed the logistics reasons for the postponement as flying in the face of logic and portrays Nigeria as being unserious.
Noting that INEC had years to prepare for the election, Ajulo described as unfortunate and regrettable the postponement of the election.
He, particularly, called on INEC to apologise to various local and international stakeholders, particularly the Nigerian voters who journeyed far distances to perform their civic duty.
Meanwhile, Head of Voter Education and Publicity, in Oyo state, Mr Ayodele Folami, has said that ballot papers and result sheets distributed on Friday have been returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ibadan.
He said the materials had only been distributed to its local government headquarters and not polling units hence it was promptly retrieved back.
Similarly, he said Smart Card Readers, deployed to local government areas, were being retrieved to the INEC state office.
Upon retrieval, he said the SCRs would have to be reconfigured to the new election dates of February 23 and March 9.
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