Postponement: Nigerians reveal why they will vote today

Last week, Nigerians were taken unawares when the presidential election scheduled to take place on Saturday was postponed to February 23. Daily Trust Saturday went round to feel the pulse of the electorate on the issue.   Lewis Dudafa, 35, Businessman, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State As a Nigerian, I will like to vote for the candidate […]

Last week, Nigerians were taken unawares when the presidential election scheduled to take place on Saturday was postponed to February 23. Daily Trust Saturday went round to feel the pulse of the electorate on the issue.

 

Lewis Dudafa, 35, Businessman, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

As a Nigerian, I will like to vote for the candidate of my choice, no matter the inconvenience I experienced due to last week’s postponement. Voting in an election is very important. It is an act that will move my lovely nation forward and I am committed to it, so, I will go out and vote for the candidates of my choice. I was discouraged by last Saturday’s postponement because I shelved my activities. Then I got the news at the eleventh hour that the election has been shifted. Nobody knows if that was the will of God for Nigeria to get it right in choosing their leaders. I call on all Nigerians to cooperate with INEC and come out massively in their polling units to vote.

 

Aminu Mansur, 35, Civil Servant, Abuja.

I will vote because it is my basic right to vote for the candidate of my choice. Even if the candidate I vote for does not win, I will have a clear conscience because I know I did not sit, arms folded while my vote was needed. We really need to stand up for ourselves and live with the choices we make.

 

Comrade Ere Tuebi Forcebry, 62, Retiree, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Why not? I will come out to vote. Postponement is not enough to discourage me from performing my civic responsibility, especially when it has to do with choosing a president that has performed creditably well in the past three years. He has brought integrity to bare in governance. Nigerians need a credible election and a fair exercise and that cannot be achieved if the electorate do not come out to vote.

I travelled on Friday to my village where I registered to ensure that credible leaders are voted in. I implore all Nigerians of voting age to troop out to polling stations to vote in the best leaders. This is our beloved country and we must all work for its continued growth and development.

 

Comrade Wilfred Frank Ogbotobo, Coordinator, South-South Legacy Forum

Voting President Muhammadu Buhari is, of course, worth any sacrifice within human ability. We cannot expect progress without inputting the necessary sacrifice and hard work. I will return to my unit to cast my vote. The last Saturday’s postponement was unfortunate, but that shouldn’t discourage us to the extent of apathy. I urge Nigerians to be strong and see this unfortunate development as part of our ‘wilderness journey’. We must be vigilant and muster the capacity to confront and overpower those who do not want this great country to unfold her potentials.

Today we have been blessed to have a leader like PMB, he needs our support day and night, the forces against our progress have manifested their true nature and identity. Personally, I consider the unfortunate postponement as another confirmation of the gravity of the interplay of the fundamentals involved in the process. Nigerians should regard this election as a battle for the real independence of Nigeria from Nigerians, for the freedom and progress of Nigerians, hence, no sacrifice is too much.

 

Hadiza Muhammad, 37, Teacher, Abuja.

I want Buhari to continue to lead us. He is a good leader and I am in complete support of his government. I want my vote to be counted for him and I will be very happy if at the end of the day he wins. And if he doesn’t win, I know that I gave him my complete support. People really need to come out and vote because many people have lost interest in voting. Even if you don’t like the candidates, vote for the one you think is better. Exercise your right.

 

Aniekan David, 23, Businesswoman, Bayelsa State

Nothing would stop me from going out to vote for the candidate of my choice. If that should be the sacrifice I will have to make for this country to produce good leaders who will move our economy forward, why should I relent? Election comes once in every four years, so even if it was postponed last Saturday, it should not discourage Nigerians from coming out to vote.

But my appeal to INEC is that they should ensure everything is put in place for a credible election. Where they could not send materials to last Saturday, they should ensure they are available this time around. Nigeria must get it right this time. We must conduct an election that will serve as a reference point to other African countries and the entire world. To achieve that, INEC needs the support and cooperation of the entire citizens.