Jega keeps mum over Aso Rock meeting

Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), refused to take questions from journalists after his meeting with President Jonathan and security chiefs at the presidential villa on Tuesday.

Asked how the meeting went, he simply replied: “I believe it went well.”

He declined to answer questions on the use of card readers for the elections — or if the polls could be postponed again.

Tuesday’s meeting held amid several speculations about the fate of the INEC chairman who has come under heavy criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and sympathisers of Jonathan.

Jega, according to sources, briefed the meeting on the commission’s preparedness for the 2015 elections rescheduled for March 28 and April 11.

The meeting started at 11am, but Jega left along with two INEC officials at 2.20pm while the deliberations continued.

The meeting was attended by Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Anyim Pius Anyim, secretary to the government of the federation; Jones Arogbofa, a retired brigadier and chief of staff to the president; Sambo Dasuki, a retired colonel and national security adviser; and Mohammed Bello Adoke, attorney-general of the federation.

Also in attendance were: Jelili Adesiyan, minister of police affairs; Aba Moro, minister of internal affairs; Aminu Wali, minister of foreign affairs and the service chiefs: Alex Badeh (defence); Kenneth Minimah (army); Usman Jibrin (navy); Adesola Amosu (air force).

Suleiman Abba, inspector general of police, Ita Ekpeyong, DG of the Department of State Services and, Ayo Oke, DG of the National Intelligence Agency, also attended.