Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States, Ade Adefuye, has faulted New York Times report alleging that President Goodluck Jonathan influenced the postponement of the general election to frustrate General Muhammadu Buhari, TheCable reports.
Reacting to the publication in a statement issued on Tuesday, the Nigerian envoy who expressed disappointment, said the postponement of the general elections was the sole decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the government had never interfered with the decision of the electoral umpire.
“I was shocked and disappointed to read your editorial of February 16 titled ‘Nigeria Miserable Choices’ because it distorted and omitted important facts. The election management body has always been allowed a freehand in conduct of its activities, including the time table for the elections. In arriving at the decision to postpone the elections, INEC chief, Prof. Jega, said ‘no one pressurised INEC to take the decision,” he said.
The US ambassador further stated that in arriving at the decision, the commission took into consideration the prevailing situation in the country in the build-up to February 14, the date earlier scheduled for the presidential election.
Adefuye listed some of the issues that propelled the polls shift to include distribution of the permanent voter cards (PVC), card readers and security.
He however, explained that the aforementioned issues were acknowledged in a research conducted by the US-based National Democratic Institute and the International Republic Institute after a four-week stay in Nigeria.
“The research was sponsored by the US State Department and has been published; it is surprising that The New York Times is not aware or chose to ignore this report,” Adefuye said.
He also insisted that the Boko Haram menace in the northeastern part of Nigeria portends a serious threat to the country, adding that government had, in the recent past, made appreciable progress in tackling it.
“Boko Haram will soon be a thing of the past. It is simply not practicable to be fighting Boko Haram and be providing the security necessary for the election. It is very clear that this editorial of yours was motivated by bias and ignorance both of which are inexcusable,” he said.
It would be recalled that the New York Times in an editorial titled ‘Nigeria Miserable Choices’ alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan influenced the postponement of the general elections in order to mar Buhari’s energetic campaign because he is scared of losing.
Recall that INEC boss, Prof Attahiru Jega announced the postponement of the country’s general elections which had earlier been scheduled for February 14 by 6 weeks to March 28.
Meanwhile, the electoral commission cited security concerns as the reason for the postponement of the elections.
However, President Jonathan and his main contestant, General Buhari (rtd.) may meet outside the country before the March 28 presidential elections.