9th April, 2014
Governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states facing the challenges of Boko Haram insurgency on Wednesday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to postpone the 2015 general elections in the states.
The call is contained in a statement jointly issued in Maiduguri by their spokespersons.
The statement urged INEC to disregard calls by some politicians for the postponement of the elections due to the security situation in the states.
It urged INEC to take a cue from war-ravaged Afghanistan where elections were recently held, in spite of threat of attacks by the Taliban terrorist group.
“INEC should take a cue from Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission which courageously held the country’s presidential and provincial election last Saturday despite strong threats issued by the Taliban.
“Afghanistan was celebrated worldwide for liberating herself from the scourge of fear, thereby sending a strong signal that no threat would prevent them from choosing their leaders through democratic processes,” it said.
The statement further pointed out that the Afghan government provided adequate security for the conduct of the polls, urging the Federal Government to do same.
“INEC should as a matter of counter insurgency approach, ensure that no part of Nigeria is excluded from the election.”