The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), European Union (EU), United States of America and other foreign election observers have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adhere strictly to the new dates announced for the postponed elections.

A joint statement issued on Saturday through the US Embassy also appealed to Nigerians to support the electoral umpire despite the outrage over the sudden postponement of the elections by one week.

The statement was jointly signed by the leader of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission and former Liberian president, Eileen  Johnson Sirleaf, the leader of the African Union Election Observation Mission and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn and leader of the Commonwealth Observer Group and former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete.

Others include the leader of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa Election Observation Mission and former Zambian president, Rupiah Banda, European Union Election Observation Mission Chief observer,and Belgian Member of the European Parliament, Maria Arena, Co-Chairmen of the National Democratic Institute/International Republican Institute Election Observation Mission, former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae and ex-President of Latvia, Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga.

Others were the Director of African Political Affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Amb. Boubakar Adamou and the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas.

“The U.S. Embassy fully supports the joint statement by the heads of the ECOWAS and other international election observation missions on the postponement of the February 16 Nigerian elections.

“We join in encouraging all Nigerians to ensure a free, fair, peaceful, and credible election by supporting the Independent National Electoral Commission while it finalizes electoral preparations this week and by voting in peace together on February 23,” the statement said.