SAN FRANCISCO, February 05, (THEWILL) – The National Council of State has expressed confidence in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections on February 14 and February 28, 2015, despite calls for the postponement of the polls by various groups and persons believed to be sympathetic to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who favour a delay due to the surging popularity of General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the main opposition, All progressives Congress (APC).
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega had briefed and assured the Council which had all state governors in attendance, service chiefs, as well as all past living heads of state in attendance except General Olusegun Obasanjo, of its readiness to conduct the general elections on the dates scheduled.
Those calling for a 6-week postponement say it will give INEC more time to distribute voters cards to eligible votes who are yet to receive their cards.
THEWILL gathered that Thursday’s meeting, which lasted for almost seven hours deliberated extensively on the elections.
Council Of States Decision, Triumph Over Parochial Interests – APC Campaign
The APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has described the decision of the Council of State as the “triumph of the nation and its people over parochial individual and political interest.”
In a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity of the APCPCO, Malam Garba Shehu, the campaign said the position of the Council of State vindicates the position of millions of Nigerians who are ready and keen on the elections and who want to change the circumstances of the country.
The statement said further that upholding the February 14 date and other scheduled dates for the election confirms the sacrosanct nature of those dates as well as the May 29 handover date.
“We are glad that a major crisis of political and constitutional nature has been averted which would have made Nigeria the laughing stock of the civilised world.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has always said it is ready for the polls, likewise all the security and intelligence agencies and more importantly, the Nigerian people, who are the voters. It would have been a terrible disservice if on the basis of personal interest the elections were postponed.
“No nation learns all the lessons of democracy at once thus it is the belief of our campaign that INEC, the electoral umpire still has the chance and is indeed determined and ready to organise credible polls next week and thereafter.
“We congratulate the masses of our people for the decision of the Council of State. This is a sure sign that Nigerian people are ready to sacrifice to back their country from the locusts which have turned it into a barren land,” the statement said.
