No Going Back On February Polls – INEC

The dates for the general election in February may be hanging in the balance as the nation’s national security adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has called for postponement to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) more time to distribute about 30 million permanent voter cards (PVCs) to eligible voters.
But, INEC has declared that there was no operational reason, including the concerns over the distribution of the PVCs, to postpone next month’s general election.Dasuki spoke yesterday during a talk show at Chatham House, the London think-tank group.

According to Reuters, the NSA said he had discussed the matter with the INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, adding that a delay within the time allowed by the law will not be a bad idea.

“That is what we are encouraging at the moment,” he said, noting that INEC had been able to distribute 30 million PVCs but had an outstanding 30 million others to hand out.

He further said that although INEC had assured him it would achieve the task in time for the February elections, he thought it would make more sense to take more time. According to him, there is a 90-day window during which the election can legally take place.

Dasuki was said to have told Jega: “It costs you nothing, it’s still within the law,” adding that it was for INEC and not him to decide on the matter. “What sense does it make to vote three months early when there are 30 million cards still with INEC? That’s my position.”

But in another twist, Dasuki gave assurances in the text of the lecture he delivered at the event that the February general election will be successful.

“The 2015 elections are expected to be relatively peaceful and violence-free. The federal government has taken all necessary measures to ensure this by making adequate provisions for INEC, security agencies and by supporting numerous sensitisation programmes,” the security chief stated.

He, however, admitted that there was anxiety in certain quarters about whether elections will hold in the northeast and the ability of the government to ensure that those internally displaced are able to vote.

“Our answer to both of those is yes. As far as it is possible, we are determined that adequate security will be in place to enable elections in all the areas in the northeast that are safe, and that the IDPs will be provided with the opportunity to exercise their vote,” he explained.

The NSA commended the emergence of a strong opposition in the polity, saying it is a sign of growing maturity in the country’s democracy.

“The emergency of a seemingly viable opposition, as well as the closeness of the race is a clear demonstration of our maturing democracy. Greater voter awareness also means that people are more engaged in the electoral process and determined to protect their rightto vote. We on our part are doing all we can to ensure that every Nigerian who wants to vote is able to and that their vote will count.”

Speaking on the theme, “Nigeria’s Insecurity: Insurgency, Corruption,Elections and the Management of Multiple Threats”, Dasuki demonstrated

that Nigeria’s insecurity challenge was both local and global. He, however, challenged the international community to show the same concern to the rising terrorism in parts of Nigeria as it does in other parts of the world.

He noted that while Nigeria continues to face the debilitating effects of corruption, “we have taken steps to build strong institutions and strengthen our laws in addressing it. As we continue to do this, we call on the global community to further address the corrupting influence of big companies and rich countries.”

He also told his audience that “successive elections in Nigeria have improved and lessons learnt in 2011 are now being practiced in preparation towards the 2015 elections.

The INEC has a strong team and government has ensured adequate funding and capacity enhancement while putting in place strong coordination mechanisms between the electoral body and other stakeholders.

“It is my firm belief that Nigeria will emerge stronger, manage her threats better and improve on governance. We are taking these careful but sure steps at the moment. The terrorist threat has focused us on the right path.

“We have developed a new national security strategy that puts our people at the heart of our efforts, a national counter-terrorism strategy that employs both hard and soft power and an economic revitalization plan that will bring succour to those most vulnerable and those affected by violence,” he said.