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.

source http://www.punchng.com/news/poll-shift-drama-in-aso-villa/

Shifting the pools now is the most delicate thing to do. But was PDP thinking APC will be easy to cajole into such decision? Or if this out of fear that PDP will lose out rightly?

Seven days to go FeBUHARI 14 no matter what...
PVC secured.

Well, i await the elections

real drama

Febuhari 14
Vote Apc
Vote Restoration
Vote Apc
Vote Change

If na to drink garrl, P.D.P. will still play politics with it. May God deliver Nigeria from VooDoo Politics

I believe Jonathan can do better somewhere in the creeks of Oil rich Niger Delta if given second chance.

GEJ said election will be postponed until next 8 weeks, so shall it be. And if jega try any stupid thing by proceeding with the election he will be jailed 4 lyf.

All I see is that this man Buhari likes breaking protocol. Very annoying man indeed!

Or could it be he is just too full of himself and considers himself better than others? Still dangerous.

Or he has the mind of his cows, he must be herded at all times? Still disturbing

Or he is just above the law? Na wa!

A meeting such as this would always be futile. APC and PDP do not see eye to eye.

Buhari na Boss and methinks he is clearly unhappy with the suggestion of a shift in the polls.

Less than 9days to #CHANGE @ #TeamChange lemme hear you scream

Sai Buhari.

Gboliwe:
All I see is that this man Buhari likes breaking protocol. Very annoying man indeed!

Or could it be he is just too full of himself and considers himself better than others? Still dangerous.

Or he has the mind of his cows, he must be herded at all times? Still disturbing

Or he is just above the law? Na wa!

Face the fact that PDP wanted to postpone the election by all means possible but they failed once again.

GEJ/PDP have taken their campaign of demonizing and assissinating the character of Buhari beyond acceptable limits and as such he has every reason not to want to be around him.

so obvious that PDP came out disappointed. This disappointment should prepare them for the shocks of their lives come FeBuhari 14.
Their years of misrule is finally coming to an end.

I don't think the elections will be postponed, what INEC would do is just to extend the deadline for distribution of PVC again, maybe till wednesday or something and if that does not solve the issue, they will have to allow those with temporary voter's card to vote...IMO

PassingShot:


Face the fact that PDP wanted to postpone the election by all means possible but they failed once again.

Postponing election or not, that to me isn't an issue. So far as elections are going to be held in 2015. APC just like to hype everything no matter how inconsequential.

And if by "they failed once again" you mean they allowed the constitution over their personal opinions, then I commend them once again. Great men!

Now face the fact that your god the bloodthirsty and violent general is a renegade.

Goodmorning!

Gboliwe:


Postponing election or not, that to me isn't an issue. So far as elections are going to be held in 2015. APC just like to hype everything no matter how inconsequential.

Now face the fact that your god the bloodthirsty and violent general is a renegade.

Goodmorning!

Your adjectives on the General is in line with what PDP/GEJ have been doing - character assassination and demonizing of the amiable General.

Elections holding in 2015 is not the issue but holding them as scheduled except when the umpire has reasons not to. Why working so hard to postpone the elections instead of working around overcoming the challenges which will always be there?

Good morning to you too.

Postponement of the Elections might lead to chaos, n trust me, the military might step-in again.

Jega to a large extent has shown to be a man of integrity but unprepared for the great job of heading INEC and conducting smooth elections. In 2011, we had to postpone our elections. In 2015, it is not yet clear whether elections would hold two weeks to the time. Jega and INEC could not prepare for an election within a period of four years


To those buying the APC propaganda, out of crass ignorance, that the PDP and President Jonathan want the elections postponed, should do good to themselves by applying their brains before being the mouth piece of politicians who are bent on setting this country on fire.


The problem of Nigeria is an irresponsible political class and a highly ignorant and irresponsible citizenry.

God bless Nigeria

Gboliwe:
All I see is that this man Buhari likes breaking protocol. Very annoying man indeed!

Or could it be he is just too full of himself and considers himself better than others? Still dangerous.

Or he has the mind of his cows, he must be herded at all times? Still disturbing

Or he is just above the law? Na wa!

This is a big character flaw he and his type exude at every turn. There is always that tendency to act as if the rest of the country should consider themselves lucky to share same space with him/them. What's more? He lacks both the educational and cultural background to defend such unbridled chauvinism. There is also the issue of his military past. As was the case with Obasanjo, that empty superiority complex, is there. I won't be surprised if he starts acting like a dictator if, God forbids, he smells that seat. When we elect a snobish General, are we modernising democratically or is that a thousand steps backwards? This ghoulish looking haughty buhari; does he really represent change or chains?

starpon1:
GEJ said election will be postponed until next 8 weeks, so shall it be. And if jega try any stupid thing by proceeding with the election he will be jailed 4 lyf.

is it ur dead father whose body has been decomposed by maggots, dat will jail him 4 lyf??asking

starpon1:
GEJ said election will be postponed until next 8 weeks, so shall it be. And if jega try any stupid thing by proceeding with the election he will be jailed 4 lyf.

See your brain under your feet. Oya pick am up and fix am back for your mouth. Ode

Their evil plans wont materialise.

PassingShot:


Your adjectives on the General is in line with what PDP/GEJ have been doing - character assassination and demonizing of the amiable General.

Elections holding in 2015 is not the issue but holding them as scheduled except when the umpire has reasons not to. Why working so hard to postpone the elections instead of working around overcoming the challenges which will always be there?

Good morning to you too.

Oga, why is you semiliterate general always behaving like his cows? That's my interest in this thread. Respect that!
Why does he always need someone to teach him how to live in an orderly and organised system? Life is tooooo short to have to be sherpherding a septugenarian who doesn't want to retire

Inec should change the date. And conduct it 9 state per weekend. Starting from February 14. With 9 states. And every weekend. For 4 week

Declaring result each week starting with the 12 northern first. And another 12 state mostly northern the following week. This way, the north don't result to violent.

February 14

Kano,sokoto,zamfara, kebbi,bauchi,gombe,katsina,kaduna,yobe,Niger,. Borno,Adamawa. Do this state first. To avoid violent. They are the most likely violent state. Let them go first and declare the result.

February 20

Plateau,taraba, nassarawa,IMO,Enugu,river,bayelsa,anambra,cross river,akwa ibom,ebonyi,abia

LRNZH:


You people always claim that the problems of Nigeria is leadership. You go as far as proscribing GEJ's failures and term them the failures of past leaders.

When presented with evidence that Buhari is different from the rest of the pack, you start to insult his person. GMB is appalled with the antecedent of the pesent and past leasders and did not hide it. Period.

Sorry sir, I don't agree that one unlettered, arrogant snob representing the most conservatively feudal culture around, in all his parochial and provincial splendour is the best agent of the change we need! You guys are stretching optimism to a very rudiclous lenght. . History is not on your side.; all his antecedents suggest he is coming with CHAINS not change.

GEJ has always been saying He gave JEGA indepent power to perform, giving Anambr,ekiti, osun as example. So why jitery now over 2015?

Another PDP plan gone bad. Election must go on. So what's PDP's next plan now?

How does this stop Buhari from loosing?

chigo93:
is it ur dead father whose body has been decomposed by maggots, dat will jail him 4 lyf??asking

yes is ur dead mother whom amadioha strike to death dat will jail him. ezi ohia!!

So that dey can RIG



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU2Ap8dOxVc&feature=youtu.be