Updated: Council of State rejects election postponement

The Council of State on Thursday rejected alleged moves by President Goodluck Jonathan and some governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party to postpone the February 14 and 28 general election.
The position of the Council was made known on Thursday after a seven-hour meeting.
The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, briefed the press after the meeting.
The Council said since the Independent National Electoral Commission had expressed readiness for the conduct of the election, there was no need postponing it.
Okorocha said it was the same with the country’s security chiefs who have confirmed their preparedness for the election.
Okorocha said: “It was one of an unusual Council of State meeting that took over seven hours deliberating on a very sensitive issue as to whether INEC is prepared for the elections or not and whether there is need for the change of dates of these elections.
“INEC has said they are very ready to conduct these elections and the security agencies have shown concerns about certain local governments where they have security challenges.
“But INEC has the power to conduct elections, including fixing dates of elections.
“The Council rose that INEC should then inform the nation as to their preparedness and proceed to conduct the elections.
“The Council has asked INEC to perform its civic responsibility, which is to conduct election.
“That is what we rose to agree.
“It was a very challenging moment and INEC has reaffirmed severally that they are ready.
“But because of the concerns of the security agencies in few local governments, Council asked INEC to go and perform its civic responsibility.
“There is no decision as to change of dates or postponement at all….
“Jega has reassured us that they are equal to the task.
“In fact, they are more prepared than they were in 2011.”
But the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, gave an indication that the Council did not make it mandatory for INEC to stick to the already announced dates of February 14 and 28.
Mimiko said what the Council told INEC to do was to consult with stakeholders on the best dates for the election and so announce to the public.
He said: “Council of State was in a meeting close to seven hours.
“Essentially, the state of preparedness of INEC was on the table.
“INEC had the benefit of input from council members and security chiefs and agencies.
“And based on the very exhaustive discussion and pieces of advice, INEC is constitutionally empowered with the basis of discussions brief the nation and then the news will be communicated to you.
“INEC is going to consult widely with stakeholders and come up with a decision and they will brief the nation soon.”