Kaduna – Political parties and politicians in Kaduna have reacted differently to the postponement of the governorship and state Assembly elections by INEC.

INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega announced a two-day shift for the conduct of the governorship, state Assembly and rescheduled National Assembly elections in Bauchi and Kaduna states. 

Jega explained that the security reasons compelled the shift from April 26 to April 28 in the affected states.

 Reacting to the shift, the state Chairman of the ACN, Mr Mohammed Soba, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN,  in Kaduna that the party accepted the security reasons given by the government.
“Our members are always ready to participate in the elections even if they postponed them 10 times,’’ Soba said.

The PDP chairman in the state, Alhaji Ya’u Usman, hailed the development, saying that it was meant to save the lives and property of the electorate in the affected states.

“This is a responsible government as we want to secure the country and prevent further catastrophe,’’ Usman said.

On his part, the state CPC chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Yaro-Cocacola, told NAN in Kaduna that there was no need to delay the polls by only two days.

“We (CPC) believe that there is more to the two-day shift than security reasons alone.

“The ruling party is interested more in rigging the general elections than the protection or security of lives and property of the citizens.

“The postponement will further entrench voter apathy than encourage them to perform their civic duty,’’ he said.

However, a member of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Iliyasu, called on the electorate to come out en masse and vote for positive change.

“This shift should not discourage voters from coming out to vote for leaders and representatives of their choice,’’ Iliyasu said.

Similarly, a youth activist, Malam Bello Alkammawa, appealed to the electorate to be encouraged by the slight shift in polls and ensure that they come out more than ever before to cast their votes.