by Kolapo Olapoju

During the Council of State meeting held on Thursday, February 5, members of the council were believed to have been divided over the possibility of the elections holding as scheduled on February 14 and 28.

After the seven-hour meeting, a news conference addressed by Governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); and Bala Ngilari (Adamawa), showed the apparent disagreement on the election postponement issue.

Mimiko informed State House correspondents that based on the presentation of the INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, and the contributions of council members, the electoral body was advised to communicate its position to the nation.

He said: “The council, in its meeting, which was close to seven hours, essentially discussed the state of preparedness of INEC for the elections. INEC had the benefit of input from council members and security chiefs and relevant agencies.”

“Based on the very exhaustive discussion and pieces of advice, INEC is constitutionally empowered with the basis of discussions, to brief the nation and then the news will be communicated to you.”

At this point in his briefing, Mimiko was asked to be specific on whether the elections would be shifted or held as scheduled.

He responded saying: “Like I made it absolutely clear, I am not the INEC chief. INEC will appropriately brief you based on the meeting we just had. INEC is going to consult widely with stakeholders and come up with a decision that they will brief the nation on it soon.”

“The council is essentially an advisory body. Mr. President, in his wisdom, invited INEC to brief us on its state of preparedness. Based on what INEC said and based on the perception of council members and security agencies, INEC was properly advised and you will hear from INEC.”

After speaking, himself, alongside Ngilari and President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, stood up and attempted to exit the venue, however, they were stopped in their tracks by the Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha, who implored them to return to their seats, saying the briefing was one-sided.

After returning to their seats, Okorocha addressed the briefing, saying that INEC was advised to go ahead and perform its constitutional responsibility which is to conduct elections.

He said: “The council advised INEC to go and perform its civic responsibility which is to conduct elections. That is what we rose to agree; it was a very challenging moment and INEC has reaffirmed many times that it was ready for the elections.”

“Because of concerns of security agencies in some few local governments, the council asked INEC to go and perform its civic responsibilities, which is the conduct of elections. There is no decision as to the change of dates or postponement at all. But the council has asked INEC to go and perform its responsibility.”

When asked by a reporter if the opposition expected the polls to go ahead as planned, he retorted saying: “That is what we are expecting definitely.”

When queried by journalists on the conflicting submissions of the PDP and APC governors at the news conference, the governor said: “As usual, we will not be on the same page on any issues of this nature. It is normal that some will be for and others will be against, but the truth is that we looked at the Constitution of Nigeria, that is the only binding factor when there are issues of disagreement.”

“The Constitution guides every one because that is the fundamental law that guides the whole nation’s policies. The temporary voters cards are being exchanged for the new ones and once you have given out your temporary voter card, that means you don’t have anymore.”

“So they are going for the PVCs and the PVCs would be assumed to have been distributed before Sunday; that was the essence of the whole exercise and Jega has reassured us that they are equal to the task. In fact, they are more prepared than they were in 2011.”

As soon as Okorocha was through with his speech, Mimiko, apparently dissatisfied with his colleague’s statement, offered to further clarify.

He stated that during the course of the Council of State meeting, the challenges in the distribution of the PVCs, card readers and security challenges, were reviewed.

The governor said: “For any avoidance of doubt, like I said, INEC had the benefit of inputs and perspectives from council members. Issues of distribution of PVCs, card readers, the extent of piloting to ensure that people are familiar with this, security issues, all of these were discussed.”

“Issues of the fact that seven days to election, 34 per cent of Nigerians have yet to get PVCs. It was a major issue that was discussed – issue of preparedness of security to conduct elections nationwide, issue of the card readers which is a new technology.”

“All of these were discussed but ultimately, council being an advisory body, asked INEC to take advantage of the different perspectives of the members to take decision about the election.”