The National Council of States has insisted Election must go on

This is a development that will make the opposition party, APC, happy. The PDP has been making it look like if all Nigerians don't collect their PVC, the election wont be credible. But from what isaiahakomor.blogspot.com observed, even if all Nigerians get their voters card, many will still not come out to vote.

Consequently, the National Council of States meeting called to discuss issues about the the nation’s security and other challenges, including the forthcoming elections has ended on a positive note.

At the end of the eight-hour meeting, Nigeria's elders in the Council of States insisted the general elections must go on as has been scheduled, to ensure that INEC remain neutral and independent.

It was agreed that elections could be postponed three states 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 the Presidency to force INEC to shift the elections.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State told reporters after the meeting that INEC assured the Council it is ready to conduct elections and that the distribution of the permanent voter cards is going well.

Okorocha said the 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 Reps, 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.

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.

Chairman of INEC, Attahiru Jega, and the nation’s security chiefs made presentation to the meeting.