The National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, alongside the Service Chiefs, were today urged by a coalition of civil society organisations, under the aegis of Nigerians United for Democracy, that the elections would not be further postponed or disrupted.
Besides, the organisation equally expressed fears that the March 28 and April 11, 2015 dates for the general elections may not be sacrosanct.
While urging the National Assembly to extract what it termed a
serious undertaking from the security chiefs, the organisation argued that the undertaking should be made public consequent upon the declaration of the Court of Appeal that the armed forces have no role to play in the electoral process, the activists charged the President Goodluck Jonathan led Federal Government (FG) to investigate the revelations in the audio clip, recorded by an Army Captain, on the role of the military and other government functionaries in the alleged rigging of the June, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the organisation through two rights activist, Ezenwa Nwagu and Jaiye Gaskiya, issued a warning that any plot to install an interim government in the country would be resisted by the progressive forces.
They said, "In the circumstance, we wish to warn those who are planning to install an interim government or a coup detat to discard the idea. We have had enough of dictatorial regimes in Nigeria."
"We are however worried that the new election dates are not sacrosanct because according to the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, when he appeared before the Senate only the service chiefs could guarantee that the rescheduled elections would hold.
"For reasons best known to them, the security chiefs have not assured the nation that security would be provided on the new election dates. We are compelled to call on the National Assembly to extract a firm undertaking from the NSA and the security chiefs that the general elections would not be further postponed or disrupted.
"The undertaking ought to be made publicly by the security chiefs in view of the categorical pronouncement of the Court of Appeal that the armed forces have no role to play in the electoral process. Since all authorities and persons are bound to obey the verdicts of our courts, the President and the security chiefs should demonstrate their commitment to follow the rule of law by withdrawing soldiers from election duties.
"Nigeria is on the march again, this time; no one will be able to halt the decisive will of the people for democracy and sustainable livelihood."
Photo credit: Vanguard
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