PDP is thrown aback by the change in date of election and fully understand the frustration of the opposition. Having worked so hard for the election, travelled throughout the length and breadth of the country including Maiduguri, it was a bit of frustration too as we were looking forward to February 14th.
We believe that May 29th is sacrosanct and we are keeping our eyes on that date when President Goodluck Jonathan would be sworn in.
From all Indications, INEC is not fully prepared for the elections. There are issues with the PVCs. Almost 30 million people are yet to get their PVCs despite the fact that the date of distribution was extended. Will it be possible to have a credible election when millions of Nigerians are disenfranchised because of lack of permanent voter’s cards?
•There are also reports that the PVC readers are not fully distributed and tested. How can INEC handle cases of faulty card readers? Do they have a credible plan B in situations where voters are line up and the Card readers refuse to work?
•Ballot boxes are reportedly inadequate
•Adequate training of staff for the election had not been concluded and other problems facing INEC.
•Quite clearly the shift in election date is meant to save INEC from monumental embarrassment. I would like to reiterate that the PDP is ready for the election any day.
1.SECURITY POINTS
1.Soldiers were mobilised for the election in EDO, OSUN and EKITI States and these elections were adjudged as free and fair by both local and foreign observers. With the general election, more military personnel are needed to be on ground to forestall any breakdown of law and order as well as prevent political miscreants from tarnishing the electoral process.
2.Nigeria in conjunction with sub-regional forces have recorded a tremendous success in the fight against Boko Haram in the recent well-coordinated repel attacks from all flanks around North-East bloc of the country. This joint effort started about 2 weeks ago and has gathered momentum therefore aborting this process because officers are needed to monitor the elections would be counter-productive and could be more deadly for the nation, as it may reverse the gains we have made so far. A recent American statement claims that Boko Haram has a possible strike force of about 6,000 foot soldiers. This will give an idea of the size of the security risk we are dealing with. To add to this, Nigerian soldiers on foreign missions are being recalled for this effort.
We are querying the INEC for some aberration in the distribution of PVCs. How can Borno State which is under siege register more PVC collections than Lagos State?
INEC might have allowed its distribution of these cards to be tampered with. We hope that INEC will now use the extra time it has given itself to perfect its methodology, for example the card readers need to be tried and tested during training of its operators.
3.For the first time, we have boots on grounds in Sambisa forest, the hideout of Boko Haram and Nigeria has been able to reclaim some areas. Boko Haram and their sympathizers are completely routed out of Nigeria. Internally Displaced Persons from the North-East need to come back home and vote. We should also put into consideration that Presidential Jonathan has been the advocate of one man, one vote and has remained unchanged in his resolve to bequeath a legacy of free and fair election so, conducting the election without active participation of the IDPs would negate this resolve. There might also be Constitutional issues should the elections hold without the participation of the IDPs who by the way come from 2 states which governors are from the opposition party, APC.
*Dr. Ahmadu Ali is the Director-General of the Jonathan/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation.
