Council of State fails to propose poll shift

The National Council of State has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to perform its “civic duty” with regards to the 2015 polls.

This lays to rest fears that the elections could be postponed at the prompting of the council.

The advisory body, made up of mainly former heads of state and state governors, rose from its marathon meeting on Thursday and advised INEC to go ahead with its plans despite security fears and worries about disenfranchisement of one-third of registered voters.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Rochas Okorocha, governor of Imo state and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said: “It was an unusual Council of State meeting that took over seven hours deliberating on a very sensitive issue as to whether INEC is prepared for the elections or not and whether there is need for the change of dates of these elections.

“INEC has said they are very ready to conduct these elections and the security agencies have shown concerns about certain local governments where they have security challenges. But INEC has the power to conduct elections including fixing dates of elections. The Council rose that INEC should then inform the nation as to their preparedness and proceed to conduct the elections.

“The Council has asked INEC to perform its civic responsibility which is to conduct election. That is what we rose to agree. It was a very challenging moment and INEC has reaffirmed severally that they are ready. But because of the concerns of the security agencies in few local governments, Council asked INEC to go and perform its civic responsibility. There is no decision as to change of dates or postponement at all…. Jega has reassured us that they are equal to the task. In fact, they are more prepared than they were in 2011.”

Segun Mimiko, governor of Ondo state and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also spoke with the media but was not as definite as Okorocha on the issue of postponement.

He said: “Council of State was in a meeting close to seven hours. Essentially the state of preparedness of INEC was on the table. INEC had the benefit of input from council members and security chiefs and agencies.

“And based on the very exhaustive discussion and pieces of advice, INEC is constitutionally empowered with the basis of discussions brief the nation and then the news will be communication to you.”

Asked if there was going to be a shift in date, he said INEC was in a better position to brief Nigerians on its plans.

“‎Like I made it absolutely clear I am not the INEC chief. INEC will appropriately brief you based on the meeting we just had.

“INEC is going to consult widely with stakeholders and come up with a decision that they will brief the nation soon,” Mimiko said.

The presidential and national assembly elections are scheduled for February 14 while governorship and house of assembly will hold on February 28.