By Olusegun Lawrence The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega Saturday night formally announced the postponement of the 2015 general elections.
Addressing a world press conference in Abuja, Jega said the Presidential and the National Assembly elections will now hold on March 28, 2015.
In the same vein, the Governorship and State Assemblies elections have been moved to April 11, 2015.
The elections were earlier scheduled to hold on February 14 and 28 for the presidential and governorship elections respectively.
The elections were earlier billed for February 14 and 28.
According to Jega, the commission was compelled to shift the polls owing to security which is not under the control of the Commission.
He emphasised that INEC relies substantially on security agencies for collaboration
He said he had received a letter from the National Security adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, advising that he postpones the general elections on the grounds that the security agencies were engaged in a renewed battle against insurgency in the North-East that would require their full concentration. In the letter the Military was demanding a rescheduling of elections by at least six weeks in the first instance.
Prompt News recalls that Jega has been under pressure from the Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to postpone the elections.
The National Council of State at its meeting on Thursday, after taken briefing from Jega advised him to consult widely before taking final decision of the election.
