The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, shifted the Presidential and National Assembly elections by one week earlier this morning.
However, the founder and general overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Prophet T.B Joshua, predicted the development last week.
The decision by INEC to postpone the polls has been met with shock and scorn across the country.
In an article circulated on several news sites earlier this week and even quoted on the cover of a magazine, Joshua stated on Sunday 10th February 2019, that “The Nigerian election may likely be postponed because of many challenges. In whatever way, God is in control.”
He appealed for calm and equally warned troublemakers to be wary of their actions.
He added, “Those who will cause trouble will see trouble and those who will cause peace will see peace,” explaining that the aftermath of the election would “look very fearful.”
“You will see the clouds so dark as if it’s about to rain – but suddenly the dark cloud disappears,” he described.
“If the people of Nigeria want to cause trouble, they will cause trouble for themselves but the nation of Nigeria will stand,” Joshua concluded, adding that Africa’s most populated nation “has a very strong bond with God”.
Also, in a video posted to YouTube on December 10th 2018, which has been viewed almost 200,000 times, the cleric is also seen calling on congregants to “pray against a stop-over” and for a “smooth democracy” for Nigeria .
INEC’s Chairman Mahmood Yakubu made the a shock announcement on Saturday morning that “Proceeding with the election as scheduled is no longer feasible,” citing logistical challenges.
Nigeria’s two main political parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), swiftly condemned the move, accusing each other of trying to manipulate the vote.
The decision has equally left the Nigerian public both confused and angered, many complaining that they had already travelled to their states of origin in preparation for the vote.
