The National Council of State has decided to stick with the February 14 and 28 dates for Nigeria’s general elections, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, said on Thursday.
“No decision was taken to change the date. The date remains February 14. INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) reassured us that they are prepared to conduct the election,” Okorocha told journalists after an eight-hour meeting in Abuja.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election come February 14 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presided over the meeting.
All former Presidents and Heads of State — Shehu Shagari, Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ernest Shonekan — except Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, attended the meeting.
Other participants were Senate President, David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, and former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Musdafa Belgore.
Governors of Anambra, Kogi, Katsina, Kano, Osun, Imo, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Niger, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Cross River, Enugu and Delta states were also in attendance.
Also present were Governors of Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, acting governor of Taraba while Abia, Oyo and Borno were represented by their deputy governors.
The National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd); FCT Minister Bala Muhammed; Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, and INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega also attended.
