Executive Governors Murtala Nyako, Kashim Shettima and Ibrahim Gaidam of terror-ravaged Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States have appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to postpone the 2015 general elections in their states notwithstanding the activities of the insurgent Boko Haram.
The governors made the appeal on Wednesday in a joint statement signed by the governors’ spokespersons in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The governors told INEC to ignore biddings by some politicians to postpone the elections for reasons of insecurity in the states.
It pointed to the example of Afghanistan that despite being war-torn, the country recently held its presidential and provincial elections not minding threat of attacks by the Taliban terror group.
“Afghanistan was celebrated worldwide for liberating herself from the scourge of fear, thereby sending a strong signal that no threat would prevent them from choosing their leaders through democratic processes”, the governors said.
The governors acknowledged that security would need to be bolstered during the polls, noting that the same was done by the Afghan government.
They encouraged INEC to see that if they do not cancel the elections, it would serve as a huge statement in line of counter terrorism for the nation.
“INEC should as a matter of counter insurgency approach, ensure that no part of Nigeria is excluded from the election”, the governors wrote in the statement.
