THISDAYonline

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently discussing with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the possibility of changing the April 19, date for the Presidential elections in the country.

Disclosing this in a chat with newsmen at the venue of the political stakeholders meeting in Abuja yesterday, PDP national chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the party was on the verge of discussing the issue with INEC, adding however that "but the dates have been established by law that certain number of days must expire between the date of election and the date of swearing-in."

And re-echoing the call for the postponement of the presidential polls away from the Easter festivities, Vice Presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr. Chuba Okadigbo said INEC should adjust the date for the Presidential elections.

Ogbeh, who was asked whether as a Christian he would support the conduct of the polls during the Easter celebration, said the PDP was in touch with INEC to see what adjustment could be made on the date for the Presidential elections.

Speaking on the same issue, Okadigbo said "You know I am a Christian and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Catholics Bishops Conference have called for its postponement. The presidential candidate of the ANPP, General Muhammadu Buhari had said so much earlier. Therefore I completely support the idea of shifting the April 19 elections which pertains to Presidential and gubernatorial elections forthwith," he said.

Okadigbo, who did not proffer any suggestion said the electoral body has the liberty to select any day they want for the elections in order to avoid the mistake of the past.

The National Assembly said it was wise enough to fix all the elections in one day, adding that INEC should have put it in one day and comply with the law.

The National Assembly, Okadigbo maintained, has now been proved right on the election timetable, stating that the arrangement would have provided the ground for free and fair elections.