By Joy Omagha Idam
Barely 48 hours to the 2023 General Elections, the Founder and Chairperson of the defunct United National Party for Development, (UNPD) Evang Dr. Ebiti Ndok -Jegede has called for the postponement of the elections slated for this Saturday, February 25, 2023 citing the cash crunch currently experienced by Nigerians as a huge hinderance.
Evang Ndok-Jegede at a Press Conference addressed in Abuja Thursday 23rd February 2023 said that the cashless environment we found ourselves would prevent a lot of people from accessing their polling Units thereby hindering participation of citizens from carrying out their civic rights of voting.
According to the UNPD Chairperson “Elections have to be postponed to encourage popular participation and to ensure that no one is disenfranchised. How does one get to the Polling Unit without money? We must get it right this time around otherwise; it would be termed outright rigging of Nigerians in their own election. The election date is not Cast on Stone. Meaning that it can be Changed and Shifted”.
“Banks Are being burnt, people are protesting everywhere. Candidates perceived to win have been killed a few days to the election (Enugu East Labour Party Senatorial Candidate assassinated on his way from campaign). All these show that we are not ready for this election. More importantly, money has hindered women from participating in the election. In 2011, women were supported with logistics to run for elections. It was a very good outing for the women and the nation” she said.
Evang Ndok-Jegede who spoke under the auspices of Concerned Nigerian Citizens noted that the precarious situation would disenfranchise and further dehumanize Nigerians saying that people were already afraid of the developments. If the election is allowed to take place this election will record the highest level of Vote Buying as Nigerians are already vulnerable. An Hon Member in Rivers State caught with $500,000 cash who would not accept a $100 bill as inducement at such a period.
Evang Ndok-Jegede, is not a green horn as she ran for presidency in the 2011 presidential election under the platform of the UNPD, a party she once served as National Chairman and lamented the relegation of women to background due to lack of access to finance. She called for a level playing field that will accommodate all especially women.
She therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to assess the prevailing circumstances in the country with a view of fixing the situation that will ensure popular participation for all Nigerians irrespective of gender, tribe, religion and political affiliation. “The only realistic decision to take is to shift the elections” she concluded.