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Former IGP, Coomasie Kicks Against Plans To Postpone Elections

A former Inspector General of Police and Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr Ibrahim Coomasie, has kicked against any plan by the Independent National … Continue reading Former IGP, Coomasie Kicks Against Plans To Postpone Elections


coomiseA former Inspector General of Police and Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr Ibrahim Coomasie, has kicked against any plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) or the presidency to postpone the February general elections. 

Mr Coomasie demanded that elections should hold as planned, he says the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended on tenure of elected political office holders and the four year cycle of elections, must be adhered to by all relevant stakeholders.

His position came on the heels of a call  by the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki that INEC should shift the polls because of the security challenges in the north-east and the commission’s inability to effectively distribute the Permanent Voter’s Card to Nigerians.

There has been growing apprehension and criticism since NSA made the statement in London on Thursday. With just less than a month to the elections, eminent  Nigerians have been kicking against such call, which they described as unnecessary and self-serving.

In an exclusive interview with  Channels Television  in Katsina on Friday, Mr Coomasie stressed  that any attempt to shift the forthcoming polls would amount to tenure elongation and breach of  the constitution that would not augur well for the peace and democratic development of Nigeria.

He added that if the Federal Government must shift the elections on grounds of insecurity or poor distribution of PVCs,  both President Goodluck Jonathan and other elected government officials must vacate office upon the expiration of their tenure on May 29,  in order to give room for  inauguration of an Interim Government that would supervise the next election whenever it is fixed by INEC.

Rather than postponing the election, the former police chief asked the Federal Government to intensify efforts in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east and other security threats across the country in order to build confidence among Nigerians.

He also explains why ACF and other northern leaders want power return to the region.  According to him, the North has been the worst hit in the wave of incessant attacks by insurgents with children and women being killed on a daily basis while the present  government  finds it difficult to stop the attacks.

Earlier on Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it was working towards making sure that the general elections fixed for February 14 and 28 hold as scheduled.

The National Chairman of the commission, speaking in Abuja, refused to react to comments credited to  Col. Dasuki, asking the commission to delay the elections to allow for adequate distribution of Permanent Voter Cards.