Tribune - Council of State refuses to shift election dates
Guardian - Council of States advises INEC to consult on polls
THIS DAY – Council of State Advises INEC to Consult on Election Postponement
THE NATION - Council of State backs February elections
PREMIUM TIMES – Nigeria’s Council of States insists elections must go on as scheduled
PUNCH – Poll shift drama in Aso Villa
AFRICAN EXAMINER – Breaking News: Election Must Hold, Council Of State Approves
SAHARA REPORTERS – How The Council Of State Rejected President Jonathan’s Proposal To Postpone General Elections 
TRIBUNE February 6, 2015 Council of State refuses to shift election dates
•Reaffirms INEC’s sole power over poll timetable •OBJ absent, Gowon, Shagari, Buhari, IBB, Shonekan present
THE National Council of State on Thursday reaffirmed the sole power of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over election timetable and, therefore, did not pressurise the electoral umpire to shift the dates already fixed for the elections. After about seven-hour marathon meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, the council decided that INEC should consider its advice and take necessary steps on the conduct of the election. Noting that the council was essentially an advisory body, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting, alongside his Imo and Adamawa states counterparts, Rochas Okorocha and James Ngilari, said the electoral body would brief the nation on its final decision. But Okorocha, in his remarks, said INEC had assured of its readiness for the election and had, therefore, been advised to perform its civic responsibility. Mimiko said the council essentially deliberated on the state of preparedness of INEC and provided the commission the benefit of input from council members and security chiefs and agencies. “Based on the very exhaustive discussion and pieces of advice, INEC is constitutionally empowered to brief the nation and then the news will be communicated to you,” he said. When pressed to comment on the possibility of a shift of the election dates, Mimiko said, “like I made it absolutely clear, I am not 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 on which it will brief the nation soon.” He observed that President Jonathan summoned the meeting to enable INEC brief the council on its preparedness, saying “based on what INEC briefed us and based on perception of council members and security agencies, INEC was properly advised and you will hear from INEC.” But in his contribution, Okorocha said INEC had been advised to perform its civic responsibility against the fact of its assurances that it was ready for the election. “National Council of State advised INEC to go and perform its civic responsibility, which is to conduct elections. That is what we agreed on. “It was a very challenging moment and INEC has reaffirmed severally that it is ready, but because of concerns of security agencies in some few local governments, council asked INEC to go and perform its civic responsibilities, which is the conduct of elections.” Asked if there was a decision on date change, he added that “there is no decision as to change of date, but the council has asked INEC to go and perform its responsibility.” On the challenges of distributing permanent voter cards, Okorocha observed that the exercise was ongoing. According to him, “the temporary voter cards are being exchanged for the new ones and the PVC would be assumed to have been distributed before Sunday. That was the essence of the whole exercise and Jega has reassured us that the commission is equal to the task. In fact, more prepared than in 2011.” On the seeming disagreement between him and Mimiko over the outcome of the council meeting, Okorocha noted “as usual, we will not be on the same page on any issues of this nature. “It is normal that some will be for and others will be against, but the truth is that we looked at the constitution of Nigeria. That is the only binding factor when there are issues of disagreement. The constitution guides everyone.” He assured that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was expecting the elections to hold as scheduled. Speaking again after Okorocha, Mimiko restated that “for any avoidance of doubt, like I said, INEC had the benefit of inputs and perspectives from council members.” He added that issues of distribution of PVCs, card readers, the extent of piloting to ensure that people are familiar with it were discussed along with security issues. He observed that with seven days to the election, 34 per cent of Nigerians were yet to get PVCs. Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, was the only living former Nigerian leader absent at the meeting. Present were General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Earnest Shonekan, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; Senate President, David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; former Chief Justices of the Federation, Justice Alfa Belgore and Dahiru Musdapher. State governors present were James Ngilari (Adamawa), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Rauf Aregebsola (Osun); Okorocha (Imo); Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa); Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto); Willie Obiano of Anambra and Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger. Others were Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Idris Wada (Kogi), Rotimi Ameachi (Rivers), Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abubakar Yari (Zamfara) Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina. Also present were Mimiko (Ondo); David Jang (Plateau); Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe. Borno, Yobe, Abia and Oyo state governors were represented by their deputies. Taraba State acting governor, Danladi Abubakar, was present, while Benue, Ebonyi and Kebbi governors were neither present nor represented. Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant -General Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin; Admiral Adesola Amosu (Air Force); Suleiman Abba, Inspector-General of Police; Ita Ekpeyong, Director-General, SSS; National Security Adviser, Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, were also present.
GUARDIAN
Council of States advises INEC to consult on polls
Friday, 06 February 2015 00:56
Written by Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja
- See more at: http://ngrguardiannews.com/lead-story/196865-council-of-states-advises-inec-to-consult-on-polls#sthash.pnXXiQHM.dpuf AFTER about seven hours of deliberations, the National Council on States rose from its meeting yesterday and advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue preparations for general elections scheduled for this month. However, the Council also advised the electoral body to consult widely with other stakeholders before the elections, contrary to reports yesterday that the Council directed INEC to go ahead with the polls. The Guardian learnt that the Commission was specifically advised to consult security agencies about their preparedness for the polls. In a joint briefing of State House correspondents after the meeting, Governors Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, his Imo State counterpart Rochas Okorocha and Bala James Ngillarii of Adamawa State, said that the decision to push the final decision to INEC was based on the fact that the body was statutorily responsible for the conduct of the elections. However, there was mild drama between Mimiko and Okorocha at the briefing as the two openly disagreed over the real issues at the meeting. Mimiko, who briefed first tried to dress it in coded language as he told journalists that the meeting had directed INEC to consult widely with all stakeholders before taking final decision on the election. He refused to categorically state whether any decision to postpone the election was taken, instead insisted that INEC would brief the nation. According to Mimiko: “It was a major issue that was discussed, issue of preparedness of security to conduct elections nationwide, issue of extensive pilot use of the card readers which is a new technology. All of these were discussed, but ultimately council being an advisory body had to take advantage of the different perspectives of members to take decision about the election. “For any avoidance of doubt like I said, INEC had the benefit of inputs and perspectives from council members. Issues of distribution of PVCs, card readers, the extent of piloting to ensure that people are familiar with this, security issues, all of these were discussed. Issues of the fact that seven days to election 34 per cent of Nigerians are yet to get PVCs.” Not satisfied with Mimiko’s explanation, Okorocha took over the microphone and immediately told journalists that the Council has asked INEC to go and carry out its statutory responsibility. According to him: “The Council advised INEC to go and perform its civic responsibility which is to conduct elections. That is what we rose to agree, it was a very challenging moment, and INEC has reaffirmed severally that it is ready, but because of concern of security agencies in some few local governments, Council asked INEC to go and perform their civic responsibilities, which is the conduct of elections.” Asked if there was a decision as to change of date for the polls, he said: “There was no decision as to change of date or postponement at all, but the Council has asked INEC to go and perform its responsibility.” The Imo governor, in an answer to another question as to place of Temporary Voters’ Card (TVCs) said: “TVCs are being exchanged for the new ones and once you have given out your temporary voter’s card, that means you don’t have any more. So people are going for the Permanent Voters Cards(PVCs) and the PVCs would be assumed to have been distributed before Sunday that was the essence of the whole exercise, and the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega has reassured us that they are equal to the task, in-fact, they are more prepared than they were in 2011.” Explaining the apparent discord between him and his Ondo State counterpart along party line, Okorocha said: “As usual we will not be on the same page on any matter of this nature. It is normal that some will be for and others will be against, but the truth is that we looked at the Nigerian Constitution, that is the only binding factor when there are issues of disagreements, the constitution guides every one because that is the fundamental law that guides the whole nation’s policies.” The meeting was attended by General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Chief Earnest Shonekan, and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. However, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was absent. Senate President David Mark and Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal also attended. Others at the meeting included Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah (Army), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, (Navy), Admiral Adesola Amosu (Air Force), Suleiman Abba, Inspector-General of Police ( IGP), Director-General(DG) State Security Service (SSS) Ita Ekpeyong, National Security Adviser ( NSA) Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), among others. Governors present at the meeting included Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano, Rauf Aregebsola of Osun, Umaru Tanko Al-Makira of Nasarawa, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto, Willie Obiano of Anambra and Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger. Others included, Babatunda Fasola of Lagos, Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Idris Ichalla Wada of Kogi, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna, Sullivan Iheanacho Chime of Enugu, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Abdulkarim Abubakar Yari of Zamfara, Abdulfattah Ahmed of Kwara and Ibrahim Shehu Shema. Also in attendance were, Jonah David Jang of Plateau, Liyel Imoke of Cross River, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe. Borno, Yobe, Abia, Oyo states governors were represented by their deputies. Taraba State Acting Governor, Danladi Abubakar was present, while the governors of Benue, Ebonyi and Kebbi states were neither present nor represented. Jega led a retinue of his federal commissioners to brief the Council on the preparedness of the electoral body to conduct the polls. – See more at: http://ngrguardiannews.com/lead-story/196865-council-of-states-advises-inec-to-consult-on-polls#sthash.pnXXiQHM.dpuf
THIS DAY
Council of State Advises INEC to Consult on Election Postponement
05 Feb 2015 …INEC, Council to brief the nation Jaiyeola Andrews in Abuja There was sharp disagreement between Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and his Ondo State counterpart, Olusegun Mimiko at a joint press briefing on the outcome of the Council of State meeting. The meeting which lasted for seven hours, was held at the Presidential Villa. Okorocha told State House correspondents that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been advised by the council to perform its civic responsibility with regards to this month’s elections. Mimiko who differed from Okorocha’s statement, said INEC was advised by the council to embark on consultations with stakeholders and see if it is possible to go ahead with the election or not. There had been tension in tbe polity following call from some quarters that the elections be postponed. Thursday’s meeting would have calmed the tension, if there was a particular position taken to put paid to speculations surrounding the February 14 feasibility of the elections. Mimiko said “Council of State 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 a shift in date, the Ondo State governor said “like I made it absolutely clear I am not INEC; INEC chief 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. “The council of state is essentially an advisory body, Mr. President in his wisdom has invited INEC to brief us on the state of preparedness based on what INEC briefed and based on perception of council members and security agencies, INEC was properly advised and you will hear from INEC.”
THE NATION
Council of State backs February elections
Posted by: Augustine Ehikhoya in News Update 6 hours ago
The National Council of State, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out its civil responsibility towards conducting the general elections billed for 14th and 28th of this month. The INEC Chairman, who briefed the Council at the closed door meeting, maintained that the Commission was ready to conduct the elections as scheduled. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Alex Badeh, however told the Council about inability to gaurantee security in some troubled states. Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko and Adamawa State Governor, James Ngilari briefed State House correspondents after seven hours meeting attended by past presidents and heads of state. Okorocha said: “NCS advised INEC to go and perform its civic responsibility which is to conduct elections. 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 concern of security agencies in some few local governments, Council asked INEC to go and perform their civic responsibilities, which is the conduct of elections.” On whether there was a decision to change dates of the polls Okorocha said: “There is no decision as to change of date or postponement at all. But the Council has asked INEC to go and perform their responsibility.” Asked if there was any decision on the use of temporary voters card, Okorocha said: “The temporary voters cards are being exchanged for the new ones and once you have given out your temporary voters card, that means you don’t have it any more. So they are going for the permanent voters card, and the PVC would be assumed to have been distributed before Sunday that was essence of the whole exercise, and Jega has reassured us that they are equal to the task, in-fact, they are more prepared than they were in 2011.” On whether the report of alleged resignation of Jega was tabled, he said: “No, there was nothing like that discussed.” Asked whether PDP and APC are not on the same page on the matter, he said: “As usual we are not on the same page on any issues of this nature. It is normal that some will be for and others will be against, but the truth is that we looked at the constitution of Nigeria, that is the only binding factor when there are issues of disagreement, the constitution guides every one because that is the fundamental law that guides the whole nation’s policies.” On whether APC expects to see elections holding on 14 February, he said: “That is what we are expecting definitely.” On his part, Mimiko said: “Council of State in a meeting close to seven hours essentially on 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 advise, INEC is constitutionally empowered with the basis of discussions to brief the nation and then the news will be communication to you.” On whether there is a shift in the date, he said: “Like I made it absolutely clear, I am not 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.” “The council of state is essentially an advisory body, Mr. President in his wisdom has invited INEC to brief us on the state of preparedness based on what INEC briefed and based on perception of council members and security agencies, INEC was properly advised and you will hear from INEC.” He went on: “For any avoidance of doubt like I said INEC had the benefit of inputs and perspectives from council members. Issues of distribution of PVC’S, card readers, the extent of piloting to ensure that people are familiar with this, security issues, all of these were discussed.” “Issues of the fact that seven days to election 34 per cent of Nigerians yet to get PVCs. It was a major issue that was discussed. Issues of preparedness of security to conduct elections nationwide, issue of extensive pilot of the card readers which is a new technology. All of these were discussed but ultimately, council being an advisory body to take advantage of the different perspective of Council members to take decision about the election,” he said. A source, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, listed the four states the CDS expressed reservation about on ensuring security during the forthcoming elections as Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states. A mild drama ensured during the briefing as the Ondo State governor stood up to go after making his remarks signaling the end of the briefing. But Okorocha stood his ground and said; “This briefing is one sided.” The other two governors then sat down again and allowed him to make his remarks.
PREMIUM TIMES
Nigeria’s Council of States insists elections must go on as scheduled
February 5, 2015
Talatu Usman
The National Council of States meeting called to discuss issues about the the nation’s security challenges and the forthcoming elections has ended. At the end of the eight-hour meeting, members insisted the general elections must proceed as scheduled, reporters were told. Members also agreed that elections could be postponed in troubled zones — areas ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency. Nigerians, and indeed the international community, had watched out for the outcome of the meeting all day given the alleged plot by government to force INEC to shift the elections. Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State told reporters after the meeting that INEC assured the Council it was ready to conduct the elections and that the distribution of the permanent voter cards was going well. Mr. Okorocha said the nation’s security chiefs also said they were ready for the elections but raised concern about the possibility of elections holding in areas under the control of Boko haram insurgents. Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State however later told journalists that the council advised INEC to reflect over the concerns raised by members and the suggestion made by those who spoke in taking a decision that would allow for the conduct of smooth elections. President Goodluck Jonathan presided over the meeting, where national issues bordering on the nation’s security and the elections were deliberated upon. All former Presidents and Heads of State — Shehu Shagari, Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Interim National Government President Ernest Shonekan — except Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, attended the meeting. Other participants were Senate President, David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, and former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Musdafa Belgore. Governors of Anambra, Kogi, Katsina, Kano, Osun, Imo, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Niger, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Cross River, Enugu and Delta states were also in attendance. Also present were Governors of Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, acting governor of Taraba while Abia, Oyo and Borno were represented by their deputy governors. The National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), FCT Minister Bala Muhammed and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke also attended. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, [INEC], Attahiru Jega, and the nation’s security chiefs made presentation to the meeting, which started around 11.56 a.m. and ended after 7.pm.
PUNCH
Poll shift drama in Aso Villa
FEBRUARY 6, 2015 BY TUNDE ODESOLA, OLUSOLA FABIYI, OLALEKAN ADETAYO AND KAYODE IDOWU 41 COMMENTS
Members of the Council of State were on Thursday divided over the desirability of the general elections taking place on February 14 and 28 as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The disagreement which characterised the seven-hour meeting again played out during a news conference addressed by Governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); and Bala Ngilari (Adamawa). Mimiko told State House correspondents that based on the presentation made to the council by the INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, and the contributions of council members, the electoral body was advised to communicate its position to the nation. He said, “ The council , in its meeting, which was close to seven hours, essentially discussed the state of preparedness of INEC for the elections. “INEC had the benefit of input from council members and security chiefs and relevant agencies. “Based on the very exhaustive discussion and pieces of advice, INEC is constitutionally empowered with the basis of discussions, to brief the nation and then the news will be communicated to you.” When asked to be specific on whether the elections would be held as scheduled or would be shifted, Mimiko said, “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 on it soon. “The council is essentially an advisory body. Mr. President, in his wisdom, invited INEC to brief us on its state of preparedness. “Based on what INEC said and based on the perception of council members and security agencies, INEC was properly advised and you will hear from INEC.” Immediately after he spoke, Mimiko, Ngilari and President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, rose and made their ways out of the venue of the briefing. Apparently not satisfied with the information released by the Ondo State Governor, Okorocha beckoned on them to come back, saying the briefing was one-sided. Mimiko, Ngilari and Abati reluctantly returned to their seats to listen to him. Okorocha said after extensive deliberation, INEC was advised to go ahead and perform its constitutional responsibility which is to conduct elections. He said, “The council advised INEC to go and perform its civic responsibility which is to conduct elections. “That is what we rose to agree; it was a very challenging moment and INEC has reaffirmed many times that it was ready for the elections. “Because of concerns of security agencies in some few local governments, the council asked INEC to go and perform its civic responsibilities, which is the conduct of elections.” Asked specifically if there was a decision regarding change of date for the polls, Okorocha said, “There is no decision as to the change of dates or postponement at all. But the council has asked INEC to go and perform its responsibility.” When asked if APC expected the elections to hold on the scheduled dates, he replied, “That is what we are expecting definitely.” When confronted with the fact that it appeared that the PDP and All Progressives Congress governors were not on the same page on the matter going by the discord at the news conference, the governor said, “As usual, we will not be on the same page on any issues of this nature. “It is normal that some will be for and others will be against, but the truth is that we looked at the Constitution of Nigeria, that is the only binding factor when there are issues of disagreement. “The Constitution guides every one because that is the fundamental law that guides the whole nation’s policies.” On the use of Permanent Voter Cards during the elections, Okorocha said, “The temporary voters cards are being exchanged for the new ones and once you have given out your temporary voter card, that means you don’t have anymore. “So they are going for the PVCs and the PVCs would be assumed to have been distributed before Sunday; that was the essence of the whole exercise and Jega has reassured us that they are equal to the task. “In fact, they are more prepared than they were in 2011.” He added that the issue of Jega’s alleged resignation was not discussed at the meeting. Immediately Okorocha finished his speech, Mimiko who was obviously not comfortable with his colleague’s submission, offered to make further clarification. He said the meeting reviewed the challenges in the distribution of the PVCs, card readers and security challenges. The governor added, “For any avoidance of doubt, like I said, INEC had the benefit of inputs and perspectives from council members. “Issues of distribution of PVCs, card readers, the extent of piloting to ensure that people are familiar with this, security issues, all of these were discussed. “Issues of the fact that seven days to election, 34 per cent of Nigerians have yet to get PVCs. “It was a major issue that was discussed – issue of preparedness of security to conduct elections nationwide, issue of the card readers which is a new technology. “All of these were discussed but ultimately, council being an advisory body, asked INEC to take advantage of the different perspectives of the members to take decision about the election.” The Progressives Governors Forum, the umbrella body of the APC governors, later issued a statement in which it said that the “council reviewed INEC’s report and the presentation by the NSA on the state of preparedness for the general elections.” It said in a five-paragraph statement by Okorocha that Jega “ assured the council that INEC is ready to proceed with the elections as scheduled.” Jega is however expected to meet on Friday (today) with the national commissioners and the Resident Electoral Commissioners on Saturday over the outcome Council of State meeting. After the departure of all the APC governors, the President engaged PDP governors in a brief meeting at the new banquet hall. The issues discussed and the outcomes of the short meeting had yet to be made public as of 8.30pm on Thursday. The presidential candidate of the APC, Muhammadu Buhari, was one of the nation’s former leaders that attended the meeting which started at about 11:30am. Others included former President Shehu Shagari; former Heads of State – Yakubu Gowon and Abdusalami Abubakar – and the Head of Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the only former Nigerian leader absent from the meeting presided over by Jonathan. Vice President Namadi Sambo, the President of the Senate, David Mark; the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; and the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, also attended the meeting. A mild drama however played out before the commencement of the meeting when Buhari did not join other former leaders in the President’s office. The tradition is that the former leaders would converge and join the President to arrive at the Council Chamber venue of the meeting together. But Buhari, on arrival, went straight to the Council Chamber. It took the intervention of Anyim and some other top government officials for him to be prevailed upon to join his colleagues. At the close of the meeting, Buhari also refused to leave the venue with his colleagues. He left through a different door. Before the meeting, 10 registered political parties had earlier insisted that the elections must hold. They said that the calls by some people, groups and 16 other parties for the postponement of the polls were the handiwork of the PDP. The 10 parties, under the aegis of the Progressives Political Parties, said in a joint statement signed by their leaders in Abuja that shifting the polls would plunge the country into chaos. The statement read, “We the undersigned, on behalf of our political parties, are shocked at the conduct of some of our colleagues who have joined the infamous campaign to scuttle Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy by calling for the postponement of the general election barely a week before the election is to commence. “We condemn, in the strongest terms possible, this underhand and undemocratic tactic meant to plunge our country into anarchy, on top of the debilitating state of insecurity which has become pervasive in the land. “The call for the postponement of the general election has nothing to do with the preparedness of Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct the election or the pace of distribution and collection of Permanent Voter Cards. “INEC, the authority empowered by law to fix the date of the election had said, countless times, it is ready and prepared to conduct a free, fair and credible election on February 14 and 28 . “As a matter of fact, Jega and his colleagues in the commission had stated time and time again, that they had four years to prepare for the election and they will deliver better election this time round.” But before the statement was made public, some politicians in Yobe State vowed to lead a protest against the postponement of the elections.
AFRICAN EXAMINER
Breaking News: Election Must Hold, Council Of State Approves
Posted by African ExaminerFeatured, Latest News, Nigeria 2015 ElectionThursday, February 5th, 2015
*Council of State Decision Is Nation Triumphs -APC By Ayo Balogun, Abuja – After several hours of meeting, the Council of State has concluded that elections must hold in the nation as scheduled. They refused that the elections be postponed as being canvassed by President Goodluck Jonathan and his party, the PDP. The meeting which lasted for seven hours in Abuja on Thursday advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to go on with the elections in line with the constitutional provision. It was gathered that INEC had informed the council that it was ready to conduct the election as scheduled. It was also learnt that security concerns raised issues about security as some local governments in the troubled North East were under the control of Boko Haram, meaning that elections might not hold in them. INEC has been asked to consider all inputs raised at the meeting and find ways to address them, with the council insisting that elections must go ahead. Meanwhile, the decision of the National Council of State at its meeting of Thursday rejecting the proposal to postpone the February 14, 2015 presidential election and other elections scheduled for the general elections is the “triumph of the nation and its people over parochial individual and political interest.” In a statement by Malam Garba Shehu, Director, Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, the campaign said that the position of the Council of State vindicates the position of millions of Nigerians who are ready and keen on the elections and who want to change the circumstances of the country. The statement said further that upholding the February 14, 2015 date and other scheduled dates for the election, confirms the sacrosanct nature of those dates as well as the May 29, 2015 handover date. “We are heartened that a major crisis of political and constitutional nature has been averted which would have made Nigeria the laughing stock of the civilised world. “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has always said it is ready for the polls, likewise all the security and intelligence agencies and more importantly, the Nigerian people, who are the voters. It would have been a terrible disservice if on the basis of personal interest the elections were postponed. “No nation learns all the lessons of democracy at once thus it is the belief of our campaign that INEC, the electoral umpire still has the chance and is indeed determined and ready to organise credible polls next week and thereafter. “We congratulate the masses of our people for the decision of the Council of State. This is a sure sign that Nigerian people are ready*Council of State: The nation triumphs -APCto sacrifice to back their country from the locusts which have turned it into a barren land.”
SAHARA REPORTERS
How The Council Of State Rejected President Jonathan’s Proposal To Postpone General Elections
Our presidency sources at the meeting said that all the former Heads of State spoke in favor of holding the general elections on February 14th and February 28th 2015, as scheduled by the electoral commission. Following a grueling eight-hour meeting on Thursday,Nigeria’s National Council of State emphatically rejected a proposal by President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to postpone the 2015 general elections. The meeting was Mr. Jonathan’s final open effort to rescue an election that seems to have got away from him very quickly. Under the Nigerian constitution, the Council advises executive branch, and is chaired by the President. Other members are the Vice-President, who is the Deputy Chairman; all former Presidents of the Federation and all former Heads of the Government of the Federation; all former Chief Justices; the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; all State Governors; and the Attorney-General of the Federation. Also at Thursday’s meeting was the chairman of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC). President Jonathan cited security concerns and lack of preparedness by INEC as his reasons for seeking postponement of the elections. Our presidency sources at the meeting said that all the former Heads of State spoke in favor of holding the general elections on February 14th and February 28th 2015, as scheduled by the electoral commission. Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, also spoke calmly but firmly against the proposal. However, when it was Jega’s time to speak, he shocked the meeting by disclosing that just before he entered the Council chambers, the president’s National Security Advisor, Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd), had handed him a report saying that the security services could not guarantee security during the elections. Dasuki, he stated, emphasized that 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the North East would be compromised. Presidency sources inside the meeting tell SaharaReporters that Jega responded the security questions, stating “We are better off [more secure] than in 2011” elections. He also argued that the security situation in 14 LGAs should not interfere with acountry of over 700 such councils. Professor Jega also said that all Permanent Voting Cards (PVCs) were ready for voters and that their availability should no longer be considered an issue. Our sources say that when Jega finishing giving his presentation, the majority of the room clapped in support and respect. One source disclosed to SaharaReporters that after Jega’s presentation, aides to President Jonathan sent a signal to Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, Alex Ekwueme and Senator Okunrounmu to release a “dossier” that was in the possession of the group against Jega. That group then quickly organized a press conference in Abuja to demand Jega’s removal from INEC and get himarrested and tried for “treason”. Contrary to Jega’s positive reception at the Council of State, the group, in a fall-back strategy the president seemed to have approved of in advance, claimed that the INEC boss had colluded with some Northern “leaders” to cheat the South of the presidency. After today’s meeting the Council of State decided that INEC and the security agencies must hold meetings leading to the elections in order to harmonize and coordinate their activities to ensure that all elections are free and fair starting this month. The meeting then nominated Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State to brief the press about its decisions. Governor Rochas Okorocha strategically joined Mimiko at that event to ensure that nothing was added to, or taken away from what Nigerians needed to know.
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