Nigeria will not postpone February 14 presidential election

Nigeria will not postpone February 14 presidential election

Add caSupporters are seen walking past a poster of Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan during an election rally in Port Harcourt, January 28, 2015. © AFPption

 

 

Nigeria’s electoral commission has turned down President Goodluck Jonathan’s demand to postpone the February 14 presidential election due to recent mounting attacks by Boko Haram.
During a seven-hour meeting of the Council of State with security officials, state governors, the election commission and former heads of state on Thursday, Jonathan urged postponement of the poll.
The governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) insisted it was “very ready to conduct these elections.
Okorocha said the Council concluded that, “INEC should then inform the nation as to their preparedness and proceed to conduct the elections.”
General Muhammadu Buhari, Jonathan’s main challenger in the election and a former military ruler, who heads the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), also took part in the meeting, opposing any delay in the election.
Sambo Dasuki, the national security advisor to President Jonathan, was the first official to raise the prospect of a poll delay last month in order to allow more time for distributing voter cards.


Election during rising tension
The election comes as Nigeria is wracked by massive violence by the Boko Haram Takfiri militants.
Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” controls parts of northeastern Nigeria and says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.
It has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in various parts of Nigeria since the beginning of its operations in 2009, which have left over 13,000 people dead and 1.5 million displaced.

In recent weeks, the Takfiri militants have stepped up attacks in northeast Nigeria, and neighboring countries of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, leading to constant demand for postponing the election.
The INEC, which has admitted that the election cannot be carried out in many areas controlled by the militants, has not provided any plans for the voting of hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
Out of a total population of 177 million, roughly 69 million people are registered to cast a ballot. However, the distribution of voter cards in several areas has been an issue.
State governors have declared public holidays this week to give people a chance to ensure they are on the electoral register.