Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, LASU, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has said on Saturday that the postponement of the 2019 elections had created concern and anxiety due to the complexity of Nigeria as a nation.
“The truth of the matter is that moving such a complex situation like these elections forward will always be flooded with a lot of complexity.
“If the electoral umpire feels that there are clear indications why decisions like this must be taken, then the umpire must never be scared of taking the decision on the basis of I do not want to be crucified, ” he said.
According to him, the electoral umpire might be playing with the life of the nation if it proceeds to conduct the elections, knowing that it is not actually the appropriate thing to do.
He said the umpire must be bold enough to take such decisions but must come out clean to give the masses information about the fact pursuant to which the decision was taken.
“The decision of the umpire must not be shrouded in mystery and allow for speculation or guess, as this is what will still make the people have confidence in the umpire and appreciate the electoral process.
“An umpire in this instance must be ready to be vitrified, attacked and massively explain the circumstances that led to the decision,” he said.
He said that Nigerians must understand that in this age of electronic technology and innovations, quite a lot of things when tampered with could mar the process of the election if the umpire decided to still go ahead.
Fagbohun said he expected the world to respect the decision of the Nigerian umpire which has an up-to-the moment analysis of the contention.
” If INEC is sure that the decisions they have taken is in the best interest of the nation, all they need do is give us the facts and go ahead, no matter what people or the international community will say, ” he said
According to him, INEC must not be railroaded by the decisions or opinions of people, but rather be guided by the fact on ground, the reality faced with and the sincerity of purpose which must be credible.
“I am not saying that people should do things on flimsy reasons, but Nigerian leaders must learn to take decisions and responsibility,” he said.
Speaking on the effect the elections postponement had on school’s academic calendar, the professor said laws were made for men and not men for laws and so heads of schools must restrategise.
He said heads of academic institutions, in line with the reschedule, must also have new approaches and see how the academic calendar could blend to cover the syllabus within the available time frame.
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