According to Reuters, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, said he had told the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, that a postponement within the three months allowed by the law, would be a good idea.
But his advice was rejected by the electoral umpire and the opposition All Progressives Congress.
Before he spoke at the Chatham House, a London think-tank, groups like the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, the Federation of Middle Belt People and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo had also advised that the elections should be shifted.
Dasuki told participants at a talk in London, that INEC which had distributed over 30 million cards late last year, had assured him that the outstanding PVCs would be given out before February 14, the first day of the elections.
He however stated that he believed it would make more sense to shift the elections since the law provided a 90-day window during which elections could legally take place.
“It costs you nothing, it’s still within the law,” Dasuki said, adding however that it was for INEC and not for him, to decide.
But the electoral commission said even though it had yet to receive any formal request for the postponement of the elections. it would stick to its timetable for the polls. (Punch, Reuters)