Senator Bukola Saraki has described the postponement of the general elections as an obstruction of democracy and accused the Presidency and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using insecurity in the North-East to delay the elections.

Saraki, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment has nevertheless, urged Nigerians not to be deterred by the delay in their resolve to remove the present administration in Abuja.

He said: “The delay in the elections is an obstruction of democracy led by President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP. All Progressives Congress (APC) has been calling for free, fair, and transparent election for our country and this delay in elections hinders this call.

“The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to act independently, but unfortunately the commission is being guided by government officials who believe they are about to lose an election and have decided to stop the election to re-strategize.

“For the first time in Nigeria, we are seeing a seating government run away from election.

“While we recognise the severity of the security challenges facing Nigeria today, sadly these challenges are not new. It has been almost a year since Boko Haram kidnapped 200 schoolgirls in Chibok.

“Thousands of men, women and children have died in the hands of Boko Haram and thousands are displaced. So, security should not be an excuse to delay our elections and obstruct democracy.”

“I charge Nigerians to be calm, non-violent and steadfast. We must be determined to make sure the postponement does not demoralize or disenfranchise us.

“We must see this as a challenge for us to remain resolute in yearning for a new democratic government; one that will not see itself as above the people.”