2019 Polls: Be transparent, proactive in communicating with Nigerians – Presidential candidate tells INEC 

By Matthew Denis

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been charged to be more transparent and proactive in communicating with Nigerians and strategic partners on their logistics and operational challenges.
The Presidential Candidate of Alliance National Party (ANP), Asiwaju Moshood Shittu stated this after casting his vote at Sawo South East Polling Unit 003 in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday.
Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the 2019 general elections, the presidential candidate said the postponement of the election penultimate weekend was to fully prepare the commission for credible elections.
He said, “We are lucky in this country not to have experienced distractions or rancour as the election is peaceful.
“Our agents are on ground monitoring every polling unit across the country and I haven’t received serious report on the lapses of INEC.”
Shittu while applauding the electoral umpire urged INEC to always provide detailed information on the nature and degree of the logistical challenges that occasioned the delay in arrival of electoral materials in some polling units.
“We hope that where we have these lapses, it will be amended before the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections,” he stated.
Speaking on his political party, he said, the ANP which was registered less than six months ago is attracting interest from lots of politicians across the country.
The presidential candidate however called on Nigerians to focus on the youths to deliver dividends of democracy in the country.
Speaking further, he said, “Let me seize this opportunity to ask our colleagues to show understanding and exercise patience by staying away from making allegations, spreading rumours and hate speech to avoid overheating the polity.”
He implored his fellow contestants to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating whoever emerges winner at the end of the election saying it should not be seen as a do-or-die affair by political gladiators.