Update: 02/22/2019
After a last-minute postponement, Nigerians head to the polls. President Muhhamadu Buhari is facing off with his main challenger and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
A BBC report asserts whoever wins, will have to address issues with corruption, insecurity posed by Boko Haram terrorist group and the sluggish economy.
Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has postponed the presidential and parliamentary election just five hours before the polls were set to open.
The move was so sudden that some voters did not hear the news showed up to vote only to be told- not today. Some thought the news of the postponement was fake news according to a BBC report.
According to BBC, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, said he was forced to make the difficult decision because to ensure a free and fair election was conducted.
“Proceeding with the election as scheduled is no longer feasible,” commission chairman Yakubu said, citing logistical issues.
The move has created anger in Nigeria and suspicion in social media who are calling INEC incompetent for failing in the only task they have.
The presidential and parliamentary votes are now scheduled for Feb 23, 2019. Elections for governorship and state assemblies will be held March 9, 2019.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with almost 200 million people. It is also Africa’s largest economy and one of the worlds largest oil producer.
Click here to read the full report from BBC
