Council of State meeting ends, says election will not be postponed

The Council of State meeting has officially ended with members resolving not to postpone the 2015  general election scheduled for Feb. 14th.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, said;

“It was one of an unusual Council of State meeting that took over 7 hours deliberating on a very sensitive issue as to whether INEC is prepared for the elections or not and whether there is need for the change of dates of these elections. INEC has said they are very ready to conduct these elections and the security agencies have shown concerns about certain local governments where they have security challenges. But INEC has the power to conduct elections including fixing dates of elections.
The Council rose that INEC should then inform the nation as to their preparedness and proceed to conduct the elections. The Council has asked INEC to perform its civic responsibility which is to conduct election. That is what we rose to agree. It was a very challenging moment and INEC has reaffirmed severally that they are ready. But because of the concerns of the security agencies in few local governments, Council asked INEC to go and perform its civic responsibility. There is no decision as to change of dates or postponement at all…. Jega has reassured us that they are equal to the task. In fact, they are more prepared than they were in 2011.” he said