Its Official: INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega Announces The Postponement Of Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission, has postponed the 14th February presidential election by six weeks over concerns about the security situation. Commission chief, Attahiru Jega said he had been told troops would not be available to help patrol the ballot because they would be fighting Boko Haram militants in the north-east. The election will now be held on 28 March instead.
Announcing the postponement at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday night, Jega said the presidential and national assembly elections will now hold on March 28 while the governorship and state assemblies election will take place on April 11.

Mr. Jega said the elections have to be postponed after the nation’s security agencies indicated to the commission that they were not available to support the elections planned for February 14 and 28.

The INEC chairman said security operatives agencies told INEC that they were commencing a six-week special operation against Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern corridors of the country and would rather not be distracted by the elections.

"In consideration of the advice by the security agencies, it will be unconscionable to have elections without adequate security"-Jega
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 7, 2015

"The security agencies reiterated that they will be concentrating their attention to the insurgency and may not be able..." 1
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 7, 2015

"INEC not being a security agency and concern for the staff and observers during elections, INEC cannot guarantee protection"-Jega
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 7, 2015

"Consequently the Comm has rescheduled the elections, Pres, Sen and HOA has been moved to Mar 28"-Jega
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 7, 2015

"Gov and SOA has been rescheduled to April 11th"-Jega
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 7, 2015

"We in INEC promise to deliver free, fair and credible elections"-Jega
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 7, 2015

"We implore the security agency to stick to their promise and commitment made to INEC"- Jega
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 7, 2015

"We wish to call on all Nigerians to accept this in good faith to deepen democracy in our country Nigeria"-Jega
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 7, 2015