President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians not to be perturbed by the rescheduling of the 2015 general elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11, saying that it is better for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take its time to conduct free, fair and credible polls which Nigerians would be very happy about, than rush and get it wrong.

“I urge Nigerians not to be perturbed. It is better for INEC to conduct free, fair and credible,” he said during last night’s Presidential Media Chat. He assured Nigerians that the elections will take place on the new dates and a new government inaugurated on May 29 as required by the Nigerian Constitution.

Jonathan also reacted to the statement he once made that “stealing is not corruption,” which has generated heated controversy. He said: “Of course, I have not said stealing is good. I made that statement while quoting the Chief Justice of the Federation, Mustapha. We have abused the word corruption. Our people use the word corruption to refer to many bad acts and thieves. They use it upside-down.”

•Photo shows President Jonathan.