INEC official postpones elections. Now March 28th and April 11th

INEC chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega briefed the media on the outcome of their meeting on Saturday night. He said the 2015 general elections has been postponed by 6 weeks. Jega said the decision was made after briefings with various stakeholders notably political parties, security agencies, civil society and the media. He said 26 out of the 28 registered parties were at the meeting. Jega blamed the postponement on lack of security and collection of PVC. He said only 66% of the 96% PVCs has been collected

New dates: the presidential election will now hold March 28th while Governorship election will now hold April 11th.

APC Reacts To Election Shift, Says It's “Highly Provocative”

 

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has just heard over the news media that The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decided to postpone the elections by six weeks on the strength of a letter by the security chiefs that they cannot provide security for the elections nationwide because of the commitment of its resources to fight insurgency in the north eastern part of the country.

This is clearly a major setback for Nigerian democracy, and our Party is meeting in emergency session to study its implications and will inform Nigerians of its decisions in the next few days.
In the meantime, though what has happened is highly provocative, I strongly appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm and desist from violence and any activity which will compound this unfortunate development. We must not fall into this obvious trap. Change we must. They can only delay it; No one can stop it.
I want to assure all Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress will not abandon its commitment to change and will sustain the struggle to establish a new Nigeria.

John E. K. Odigie-Oyegun. CON.

National Chairman, APC

 

 

PDP Hails INEC Over Elections Postponement, Urges Supporters To Remain Calm

 

As Nigerians continue to react towards the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the February general elections, the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, has expressed its support for the postponement of the general elections, saying it was in the nation`s interest.
The party’s position is contained in a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity of campaign organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, on Sunday in Abuja.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had at a news conference on Saturday night, announced the postponement of the general elections earlier scheduled to commence on Saturday 14, by six weeks.
Jega said that the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for Feb. 14 would now hold on March 28, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly fixed for Feb. 28 had been shifted to April 11
He explained that the postponement was predicated on advice by the nation’s security chiefs, who said that the military had a major operation against the insurgency in the North-East.
``Rather than do an inconclusive elections, we had better wait until there is adequate security,’’ Jega had said, and added that the decision to postpone the elections was reached after wide consultations with critical stakeholders.
Fani-Kayode said that the organisation concurred with the decision to shift the elections, stressing that it was in the interest of deepening democracy in the country and in national interest.
``INEC must be commended for showing the courage to shift the elections, after acknowledging the fact that its state of preparedness was not 100 per cent.
“Since this decision has been taken in the interest of deepening democracy and in national interest, we accept it in good faith.
``We commend INEC's courage and obvious commitment to ensuring a free and fair election, '' he said.
He said that with the postponement, INEC had allayed the fears of many Nigerians that may not have the opportunity to vote for the candidates and parties of their choice on election days.
Fani-Kayode maintained that INEC had by the decision, ensured that no one would be disenfranchised and had helped to guarantee the safety and security of Nigerians during the elections.
He added that the shift would enable the nation’s security agencies to put better measures in place to secure the North-East and ensure that elections could hold in the region.
The former aviation minister however disagreed with All Progressives Congress’ (APC) stance on issues of the polls shift.
“By insisting that the elections should be conducted on Feb 14, the opposition was not only dangerously flirting with chaos, but also putting our country firmly on the path of confrontation, division, injustice, disaster and destruction.
“This is especially so, given the fact that no less than 34 per cent of eligible voters have not been able to access their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
``A situation where such a large percentage of our people would have been disenfranchised is unacceptable and the fact that the APC was insensitive to that fact speaks volumes,’’ he said.
The campaign organisation’s spokesman said that INEC must have drawn a useful guide from available security reports from the North-East, following acts of insurgency.
He urged PDP supporters to remain calm and patient, stressing that the party was strong.
``Our candidate is confident; our course is just; our God is mighty and our victory is assured. No matter what happens and no matter how long it takes, we shall prevail, ‘’ he said.

 

 

US Condemns Postponement Of Nigeria’s Elections

 

The United States government has expressed ‘deep’ disappointment by the decision to postpone Nigeria’s presidential election, which had been scheduled for February 14.
A statement by U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, shortly after the announcement of the poll shift by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, on Saturday, said political interference with INEC is unacceptable.
Mr. Jega, while announcing the shift, said INEC’s decision follows a letter from security agencies informing the commission that security cannot be guaranteed if the elections go ahead as scheduled.

He said the Nigerian military is currently engaged in operations against Boko Haram insurgents in the north-eastern part of the country.

“Last Wednesday…the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) wrote a letter to the Commission, drawing attention to recent developments in four Northeast states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe currently experiencing the challenge of insurgency.

“The letter stated that security could not be guaranteed during the proposed period in February for the general elections,” Mr. Jega said.

But the U.S. government in its reaction said “it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process”.

Mr. Jega had also on Saturday announced new dates of March 28 and April 11 for national and state elections.

The US said the international community would be watching closely as the Nigerian government prepares for elections on the newly scheduled dates.

“The United States underscores the importance of ensuring that there are no further delays.

“As I reaffirmed when I visited Lagos last month, we support a free, transparent, and credible electoral process in Nigeria and renew our calls on all candidates, their supporters, and Nigerian citizens to maintain calm and reject election-related violence,” Mr. Kerry said.