A Second Republic gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Alhaji Muhtari Kwaru, has described the one-week postponement of general elections as an opportunity for credible polls.
The 73-year-old politician said in a chat with Daily Trust, that he had confidence in the leadership of INEC, adding that he believed the electoral body would deliver credible elections on Saturday.
Kwaru said it was not a new thing to postpone elections, recalling that it has happened severally since the return of democracy in 1999.
He added that he was confident that the latest postponement was good for the country and its people.
“The only thing is whoever barks, or jitters must be thinking that they may be in for it; but it is not baffling to any responsible and reasonable head,” he said. When asked if he was satisfied with the level of preparation by the electoral umpire to conduct the election, Alhaji Kwaru said only the rogues will not be happy with the situation. “Let me tell you, not only myself, I can say only the rogue, when I say rogue, I don’t mean only those that used to steal money but those that used to steal votes are not happy with the situation now. Because they believe once the election is free and fair, they are in for it,” he said.
Commenting on the fears entertained in some quarters about the election, Kwaru said, “In matters of elections, it is always the trend that the atmosphere is tensed, so we know it is bound to happen. Only those that are new in the system may find it otherwise. “Sincerely speaking, the trend is just a trial between two factors – the sincere ones and the desperados – and as such, each is trying to outsmart the other,” he added.