The Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday said any attempt to force a postponement of the 2023 general elections is a treasonable offence which may also spell doom for the unity of Nigeria.
There were reports that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is plotting to shift the elections by four weeks owing to the fuel and naira scarcity across the country.
Speaking with DAILY INDEPENDENT, Chief Spokesperson Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (LP-PCC), Dr Yunusa Tanko also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to yield to centrifugal forces who are seeking a postponement of the election.
While calling for a free, fair and credible elections, the party also urged INEC to ensure that the scheduled timetable of the election is strictly adhered to.
” That will be a treasonable offence against the state. The APC is not in position of power to determine whether election is to be postponed or not. That is strictly under the purview of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which is chaired by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu”.
Any attempt by APC to force a postponement of the election will not be acceptable to all. We know that they are making the attempt knowing fully well that they are going to lose this election woefully”.
“Of course, there are challenges but in 2019 there were more challenges that almost five states were alienated from Nigeria by Boko Haram, yet there was no postponement and the elections went ahead”.
“We urge INEC to do everything within its capacity to ensure that the timetable of the election is strictly adhered to. We also implore them to conduct a free, fair and credible elections”.
“INEC should not yield to centrifugal forces seeking for postponement of the election. Yielding to them may be dangerous to the unity of the country” the party said.