Election shift: Dasuki’s call, ploy for military takeover –MURIC

The  Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) says the call by the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, for postponement of the February election, is a ploy for military, “allies of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to take over power.“

MURIC, while rejecting the request, which it described as “diversionary and unpatriotic”, alleged that the whole idea of a possible postponement smacks of moral debauchery.

In a statement by its Director, Ishaq Akintola, the group insisted that any suggestion for a postponement coming from one party to the exclusion of others must be viewed with suspicion.

It added that it would mean additional cost as well as unimaginable logistic challenges nationwide.

According to the group, “the Independent National Electoral Commission has not made such a request; instead, it has repeatedly given assurances of a hitch-free election. Any contemplation of postponement will send the wrong signals to the international community that Nigeria is yet to get it right.

“Delay is dangerous in a volatile nation like Nigeria where electoral violence is already on the rise and finally and with Dasuki’s call for a postponement of Nigeria’s general elections, which is less than three weeks away, the National Security Adviser has donned the garb of a confusionist.

“His call shows that the PDP is in disarray. They have seen the handwriting on the wall. With excited crowds attending opposition rallies, with rented crowds at the rallies of the ruling party, with party chieftains and their followers leaving the ruling party in droves at the eleventh hour, Dasuki is embarking on damage-control tactics. But it is too late. The ruling party has crossed the Rubicon.

“His excuse that INEC needs more time to ensure all qualified Nigerians receive cards for the vote is lame, deceitful and untenable. The electoral body has assured the nation times without number that all eligible voters will get their permanent voters’ cards before the election. How can Dasuki know INEC more than INEC itself?