GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is at risk of losing the confidence reposed in the commission by Nigerians except elections held on the new dates of February 23 and March 9. In particular, Ajimobi told the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to bear in mind the fact that his integrity was at stake, cautioning him against venturing into any action that would rubbish his many years of public service. Contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, Ajimobi, however, urged Nigerians to give the commission the benefit of the doubt by accepting the “logistics” reasons adduced by the commission. “Painful as the last minute decision taken by INEC is, I appeal to Nigerians to give the commission the benefit of the doubt by accepting the reasons they have enumerated as valid and genuine. While calling for sober reflection among players in the election process on how to ensure the sanctity of the electoral process, he held that Nigerians must be willing to make sacrifices to foster the sanctity of the nation’s democracy.

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 17, 2019 16:52 UTC