WANEP Urges INEC To Provide Regular Updates

The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and its partners express disappointment over the postponement of the 2019 general elections originally scheduled for 16th February and 2nd March 2019.

Without prejudice to INEC’s reasons for the postponement, the group acknowledged that the decision had socio-economic and political consequences for all stakeholders.

In a statement by the co-chair of the Elections Situation Room (ESR), WANEP, Hajia Aisha Ado Abdullahi, she said the group remains committed to its mandate of promoting peaceful and credible elections.

In this context, WANEP urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue to provide regular information to the general public on the progress of the revised timelines for the elections, in order to re-assure the electorate on the credibility of the process.

“While commending Nigerians for their peaceful conduct, we implore the electorate and the political parties to continue to exercise patience and understanding and refrain from acts that could jeopardize the peaceful conduct of the process.

“We urge the electorate not to be discouraged but to come out en masse on 23rd February and 9th March 2019 to exercise their civic rights.”

WANEP calls on the international community, partners and domestic observers not to be deterred or lose faith in the electoral process, but remain resolute in their support to ensure peaceful and credible elections.