Jonathan: Poll shift a blessing in disguise

President Goodluck Jonathan says the shift in the dates of the 2015 elections was a “blessing in disguise”.

He was speaking on Sunday at the opening mass for the plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Garki, Abuja.

The president also described calls for an interim national government to midwife the elections as “treasonable”.

Assuring the audience that elections will hold on the new dates announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he said: “I shudder to think what would have happened if the elections were not postponed.

“Look at what happened in Gombe on February 14th. If the elections had been held the casualty figure after that attack in Gombe would have been great.

“It is better for us to conduct elections that will not be contested [in courts], elections that are credible, free and fair.

“We believe no criminal elements can come and prevent us from conducting our elections.

“I will not do anything because of personal interest that would jeopardise the interest of this nation.

“When I listen to how some of us politicians talk… but God is supreme ‎this nation will survive.”

He said an interim government can only be set up by the military.

“It will not be acceptable to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN),” he said.

“There is no way Goodluck Jonathan elected by people with clear mandate will now go and head interim government.”