conducting elections in February is very critical and dangerous – Gana

A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a member of the
board of trustees of the People Democratic Party, Mohammed Abba Gana,
on Friday said it will be dangerous and illegal to hold the general
elections later this month.
He called for the postponement of the elections to April this year,
stressing that the Electoral Act permits the shift of the polls
considering the fact that over 20 million voters had yet to collect
their permanent voter cards.
Gana, who spoke on the sidelines of an event organised by the Change
Initiative Forum in Abuja to formally present the book: 'Why Goodluck
Jonathan should be re-elected,' stated that it was legal to shift the
dates for the conduction of the elections.
He said, "The extension of the election is both a legal and technical
issue. What we are saying is that since about 20 million PVCs have yet
been distributed, and also since it is legal and within the electoral
law to shift the elections to sometime in April, then it should be
shifted. The electoral law says elections will be held not earlier
than 90 days before the handing over ceremony on May 29, and not later
than one month before, therefore it is legal and within the
constitution or the electoral Act to say that election should be
shifted to April this year.
"This will enable INEC to use two months, the whole of February and
March, to conclude all these challenges they are facing because
anything worth doing must be done very well. And I am sure that is the
reason why the Council of State yesterday (Thursday) advised INEC to
consult very widely and inform the nation since they are the only
institution empowered by the constitution to conduct elections.
"And now since we have problems of logistics, shortages and other
things, and since there are clear two months with which INEC can help
if they want to because the elections can be done in April and since
it is within the law and the electoral Act, they can do all the
elections in April."
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He went on, "I'm sure the Council of State properly advised Prof. Jega
and his team to consult widely and to do what is right for the
country. Doing it in a hurry is very, very dangerous, because if 20
million voter cards have not been distributed and you say you are
going to conduct elections; that is unkind. Because you will be
disenfranchising 20 million people and this is extremely reckless."
On the book presentation, Gana said the document would enlighten
Nigerians on the exceptional performances of President Jonathan.
He said, "The book is timely because it will enlighten Nigerians so
that they can make the best political choice for themselves and for
the country. I am sure it will guide Nigerians and will also let
people see the performance of the President very clearly.
"We in the PDP believe in our performance and those in leadership
positions in the party have performed very well and that is why we
believe that we are going to get a convincing and honourable victory
over the APC in most of the elections, particularly in the
presidential, governorship and national assembly elections."
The Coordinator, CIF, Mr. Genesis Jeremiah, said the book was written
primarily to educate Nigerians about the deeds and plans of President
Jonathan.
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