#NigeriaDecides2019: Foreign Observers Call for Calm After Delay

Foreign election observers have appealed for calm following the last-minute postponement of the Nigerian election by a week, the BBC reports.

“We call on all Nigerians to remain calm and support the electoral process”, said a statement from EU, UN and African Union representatives.

President Muhammadu Buhari and his main rival Atiku Abubakar condemned the election delay.

The presidential and parliamentary polls will now be held on 23 February.

Election officials cited “logistical” reasons for the 11th-hour postponement.

In a press conference on Saturday, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, said the decision to delay had “nothing to do with political influence”.

The foreign observers urged INEC to adhere to its new election date and provide regular updates to the public.

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