Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
The Election Monitor and the Movement for Transparent Elections has expressed concern over the continued delay in the passage of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) budget for the 2019 general elections, with just 158 days to go.
The National Convener of the group, Abiodun Ajijola in a statement issued in Abuja, said it was very clear that there was no urgency on the part of the National Assembly to pass the budget for the 2019 elections despite the fact that the political party primary window had been open for three weeks.
He stressed that it was quite unfortunate and completely unacceptable that the National Assembly was even considering postponing its resumption till the second week in October 2018 because its members are going to take part in political party primaries.
Ajijola stated: “Election Monitor wants to remind all members of the National Assembly that they were elected to serve in the best interest of Nigerians. INEC has an approved Election Project Plan (EPP) which guides it in effective election implementation.
“With the current and proposed delays it would be arduous if at all possible to meet all necessary benchmarks within the required timelines. Therefore there must be no further delay. The current intentional delay of approving the general elections budget is precarious for the peace and stability of Nigeria.
The group therefore called on all well meaning Nigerians to come out for a peaceful march to the National Assembly by on Thursday, September 13, 2018 to demand that the 2019 general Elections budget is passed on or before the September 18, 2018.