Elections: APC UK says Buhari unbeatable, commends INEC’s extension of campaigns

THE United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend electioneering campaigns, saying it will help the party reach out to the undecided electorate.

Mr Jacob Ogunseye, the spokesperson of the chapter, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari was unbeatable because of his track records of developmental achievements.

According to him, the president’s achievements in all sectors of the country’s economy will speak for him anytime any day and will secure the votes of Nigerians for him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC reversed its earlier decision to suspend electioneering

The commission, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mr Festus Okoye, its National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, however, said that campaigns would end by Thursday midnight.

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Okoye said the decision to extend the campaigns was taken at the commission’s meeting with stakeholders where it reviewed its preparations for the general elections re-scheduled for Feb. 23.

He added that while political parties and candidates could resume campaigns forthwith, electioneering must end by midnight on Thursday.

He added that by the extension of campaigns, media organisations were now at liberty to accept, publish, broadcast and circulate campaign materials up till midnight on Thursday.

He, however, enjoined political parties and their candidates to abide by the extant laws governing campaigns in the country.

Okoye thanked Nigerians for their understanding, regarding the rescheduling of the elections and appealed to stakeholders to be dispassionate and circumspect in their comments.

“The Commission is focusing on the elections to be held on Feb. 23 and March 9 to ensure that they are free, fair and credible.

“We urge Nigerians to participate fully in the elections, notwithstanding the disappointment, ” the commissioner had said.

He assured that the Commission had worked out in detail, concrete steps to be taken to ensure that election materials arrived polling units in good time for prompt commencement of the polls on Feb. 23.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC had said that the earlier decision of the commission to suspend campaigns contravened the Electoral Act, adding that they would resume campaigns.

Ogunseye, while commending the Commission for the decision, said it was an opportunity for the APC and all its candidates to shore up their winning chances ahead of the rescheduled elections.

He said that the preparedness of the APC and its candidates for the elections was, however, not in doubt while INEC’s decision to lift the embargo was an added advantage to it.

“INEC decision to extend campaigns is good for us; we only hope they are prepared for the election this time around.

“As President Buhari has said, APC candidates have no reason to be afraid of losing elections because the party has enough support base, have visited the 37 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to campaign.

“Victory is indeed ours in the coming elections,” Ogunseye said.

He, however, urged the party members across the country to use the opportunity presented by the extension and the days ahead to ensure that no stone was left unturned.

This, he said, was critical to secure the much-needed victory for President Muhammadu Buhari and all APC candidates.

By rescheduling the elections, the Presidential and National Assembly elections now come up on Feb. 23, while Governorship and State House of Assembly polls will hold March 9.