…We Are Not Even Considering Postponement, INEC Replies
The National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan has told the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that a postponement of the general election within the three months allowed by the electoral law would be wise.
Dasuki made the recommendation on Thursday, saying millions of biometric ID cards are still lying in INEC’s office yet to be given to voters.
But the All Progressives Congress (APC) the main contender for the presidential seat has made its position known that it would stiffly oppose any attempt to postpone the elections.
“Why are they not ready? Why should we postpone? We say ‘no’ to postponement,” Lai Mohammed, spokesman of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC),” said.
“They know that if they don’t postpone they can’t win. They are just terrified.”
According to INEC, there are 68.8 million voters who must have a biometric cards in order not to be disenfranchised in the 14th February election.
But there have been technical glitches in data collection and officials have not explained how they will hold the election in parts of the northeast gripped by a violent uprising by Islamist Boko Haram rebels.
Nigeria’s election would be closely monitored by many international organisations, serving as international observers. The polls will be closely monitored because of the current status of the country as the biggest economy in Africa and as one of the biggest players in the falling oil prices.
Making the comment at the London think-tank Chatham House, Dasuki said INEC had distributed 30 million cards in the past year but had another 30 million which have not been claimed.
INEC had assured Nigerians that the February date fixed for the election is feasible, but Dasuki maintained that it would make more sense to take more time as provided in the law.
“It costs you nothing, it’s still within the law,” the National Security Adviser said.
INEC spokesman Kayode Idowu said there were currently no plans to delay. He assured that it is not in any way being considered at all.
Government should not tinker with election timelines – Atiku
Also, former Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar has said that the general elections in the country should hold as scheduled next month, and that government must not tinker with the option of postponing the timelines for the elections.
“Yes, we have a problem with the distribution of PVCs but the position of my party, the APC is that since we have a voters’ register then that should be used in conducting the elections. I also believe there is enough time between now and the elections to issue everyone with their PVCs,” Atiku said shortly on arrival to the country.
The former Vice President, who landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday after a medical vacation trip, said the call made by the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, for a postponement of the elections as scheduled next month, was uncalled for and portends a dangerous signal about the intentions of the Federal Government to conduct a free, fair and credible poll in February.
Atiku was quoted to have said in the statement signed by his media office that he is “strong, healthy and happy” to be back to lend his support to the train of change sweeping across the country.
“The duty of participating in the process of change which our great party, the APC is committed to supersedes every other consideration. For me, participating in this campaign is a call to national duty.
“It is a duty which we cannot afford to compromise upon and we must press into the consciousness of those at the helms of affairs that it is morally dubious and socially unacceptable to extend the dates of the elections by a single day from the scheduled timelines,” the former Vice President said.
