NSA Formally Writes Jega To Shift February Elections

 Reports reaching reporters has it that the National Security Adviser, NSA, has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, indicating that security cannot be guaranteed in 14 local government areas in the North East. According to the report, INEC chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega, acknowledged the receipt of the letter on Wednesday at the Council of State meeting.

While briefing the Council of State meeting on the preparedness of the commission towards the Elections, Jega was quoted as saying: “I am sure this August body will be appraised of the security situation for the elections by the responsible authority.

“Yesterday, for example, we received a letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser informing us of recent developments in four of the North-east states, stating that safety and security cannot be guaranteed during the proposed election period, adducing reasons why this is so, and strongly advising that INEC considers rescheduling the elections by at least six weeks within the provisions of the electoral legal framework, and within which time span, it is hoped to restore sufficient normalcy for elections to hold.

“This is a new development that INEC cannot certainly ignore or take lightly.

“I thank you for the opportunity to provide this briefing.”

After his presentation, the report, carried by THISDAY, said members of the council voiced their concerns for or against the postponement of the election.

President Goodluck Jonathan, a presidency source was quoted as saying, impressed it on those present that it would be necessary to shift the dates for the elections in order to guaranty the safety of voters, electoral officials and even security personnel in the North-east.

He was said to have expressed concern that if a vital section of the country was left out of the elections, the legitimacy of the candidate(s) who emerge victorious could be challenged on the grounds that millions of voters could not exercise their franchise during the elections.

This position of the president was reported to have been backed by the Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, who spoke after the president, and other governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.