INEC explains why election was fixed on Valentines day

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that although the Presidential and National Assembly elections were set on February 14, there were no intentions to put into shade Saint Valentine’s Day. The Chief Press Secretary to the commission’s Chairman, Kayode Idowu, assured that the election date was just a coincidence. “When the commission was taking that decision, it never even occurred to the leaders of the commission that it was Valentine’s Day. But then, it is a day for showing love and if we can show love that will discourage people from fomenting violence. “That will discourage you from being hateful towards another person on that day. It will make the election peaceful. So, it is a good coincidence. ” He also called on Nigerians to make the election peaceful. “The message of the day is to show love for one another and therefore, there is no basis for violence, acrimony and being unruly because that day is a day for showing amenable conduct towards others. So, that should guide the behaviours of voters as they go out to vote.” It should be noted that a special task force was set up by the commission to give Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) opportunity to vote. According to the Chief Press Secretary, the group had already submitted its report to the commission. Kayode, however, did not give any details of the recommendations but said that the specific modality would be announced as to how the IDPs would be able to vote.