Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  has just announced new dates for the elections.

They are as follows :

Presidential  holds on March 28th while Governorship is on April 11th.

HIGHLIGHTS OF HIS SPEECH

– “There are a number of issues in the conducto of an election. One of them is securoty, which is not under the control of INEC.”

– “The summary of my presentation on the national council of state is that INEC is ready for the elections.”

– “The commission’s preparations are not yet perfect, but our processes are better today than in 2011.”

– “It has become pertinent to consider the security concern raised by our security agencies.”

– “Last Wednesday, NSA wrote a letter drawing attention to the situation in the northeast, saying security could not be guaranteed.”

–  “We have done wide-ranging consultations to reach the decision. We have decided to take the advice of the security chief and adjust the date of the election.”

– “INEC not being a security agency and the commission cannot wave off the advice of the security chiefs.” 22:06 “The commission has decided to reschedule the elections.”

– He adds: “68.2 percent of PVCs collected in Borno, 78 percent in Gombe, 74 percent in Yobe, Adamawa 80 percent. Nobody is forcing us to take this decision.”

– “INEC did not postpone the elections because of low distribution of PVCs, but for security concerns,” he says.

– Ask what would happen if the security situation does not improve, Jega said: ” We hope and pray that the security situation improves. The constitution gives at least 30 days for the elections to be held before the handover date.”

– “The presidential election and national assembly election will now hold on March 28, gubernatorial and state house of assembly Appril 11″

– “The commission has decided to reschedule the elections.”

-“The presidential election and national assembly election will now hold on March 28, gubernatorial and state house of assembly Appril 11″

– Ask what would happen if the security situation does not improve, Jega said: ” We hope and pray that the security situation improves. The constitution gives at least 30 days for the elections to be held before the handover date.”

[via The Cable]
More to follow.