₦airaland Forum

The plot to get the Independent National Electoral Commission shift the
presidential election slated for Saturday, 14 February thickened on Wednesday
as Professor Attahiru Jega, chairman of the electoral commission , cancelled a
scheduled press conference.
INEC had indicated that the press conference would be used by Jega to give
the nation update about preparations for the polls as well as the number of
Nigerians that have received their Permanent Voter ’ s Cards that will be used
to vote in the election .
The Council of State meeting slated for Thursday is to deliberate on whether to
go on with the election or shift it to a new date . The meeting is believed to be
convened by President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the 2015 general
elections .
The Council whose membership is made up of the President , the Vice -
President, all former Presidents or ex -Heads of State , all former Chief Justices
of Nigeria , the President of the Senate , all state governors and the Attorney-
General of the Federation also has as part of responsibilities advising the
President in the exercise of his powers with respect to the INEC .
There have been strident calls for the postponement of the elections especially
by those believed to be allies of President Jonathan in the past few days .
The calls for the shift of elections have been anchored on claims that INEC is
not ready to conduct free and fair polls , citing as example the poor distribution
of PVCs , especially with about 20 million of the cards yet to be distributed .
This is in spite of the assurances by INEC and Jega that all validly registered
voters would receive their PVCs before the election .
They also argued that INEC may encounter logistical challenges and
operational delays that may mar the elections .
At least, one suit has been filed in court asking for shift in the date of the
presidential election by those who claim to have been unable to get their
PVCs .
On Tuesday, 26 registered political parties said at a press conference in Abuja
that they would boycott the polls if INEC did not shift the date .
The parties include United Democratic Party , Citizen Peoples Party , Peoples
Party of Nigeria , Action Alliance , Peoples Democratic Congress, Labour Party
and Unity Party of Nigeria .
Others are Alliance for Democracy, Democratic Peoples Party , New Nigerian
Peoples Party , Peoples Party of Nigeria and Independent Democrat.
“We the concerned leaders of political parties have observed some dangerous
trends, which if not checked may negatively and adversely affect our
democracy, ” the parties said at a press conference in Abuja attended by five
presidential candidates – Godson Okoye , Sam Okoye , C . O Allagoe, Tunde
Anifowose and Ganiu Galadima .
According to them , the election should be postponed because of the security
situation, low distribution of PVCs and people deserting their places of abode
for their villages .
“We are not urging INEC to do anything that is unlawful, illegal or
unconstitutional. It is unfortunately becoming clear by the day that most
Nigerians appear not to be ready for election but are ready for violence, ”
Okoye, who spoke on behalf of the parties said while calling on the Federal
Government to provide adequate security for Nigerians to go out and collect
their PVCs .
Okoye said INEC should shift the date of elections to sometime in March or
April.
Chekwas Okorie, the presidential candidate of the United Progressive Party
described the call for shifting of the polls as “mischievously contrived
clamour.” in another press conference he also addressed Tuesday in Abuja .
“The reasons given by the proponents of the postponement that a great
number of Nigerians will be disenfranchised having not been given their
Permanent Voter ’ s Cards which will enable them to participate in the election
is a contrived reason and to a large extent pedestrian .
“As we speak , over 80 per cent of registered voters have received their PVCs
according to latest figures released by INEC and this may increase to 90 per
cent or above after the close of distribution of PVCs on February 8 2015 , as
planned by INEC , ” Okorie said .

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/02/04/plot-to-shift-elections-thickens/

Yes i suggest it be postponed! most people are yet to recieve their PVC.

moreover its on valentines day