The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega is billed to announce on Saturday, whether or not the general elections will go ahead as scheduled.
Jega will make the announcement after a crucial consultative meeting with political parties and the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
Prompt News recalls that the National Council of State had on Thursday advised INEC chairman to consult widely before taking final decision on whether to go ahead with the elections scheduled for February 14 and 28, 2015 or postpone it as being demanded by some groups.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu, reads, “On Thursday, February 5, 2015, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, was invited to brief the National Council of States (NCS) on the preparedness of INEC to conduct the 2015 general elections. He made a presentation titled “Preparations for the 2015 General Elections: Progress Report.’
“As a follow-up to that meeting, the Commission has scheduled a consultative meeting with chairmen and secretaries of all registered political parties, as well as a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Saturday, February 7, 2015.
“Thereafter, the Commission will address a press conference to brief the nation on its decision with regard to whether or not the general elections will hold as currently scheduled.”
Prompt News reports that even in the face of the mounting calls for the postponement of the elections, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is positing that February 14 and 28 dates should remain sacrosanct.