Civilian Coup

Feb 7, exactly 7 days before the election and Prof Jega, visibly disappointed, announces that our elections have been shifted by 6 weeks.

INEC, firstly, is fully responsible for not ensuring we had a higher and more uniform PVC collection percentage; the federal government's late funds release notwithstanding.

However, Prof Jega made it clear that the reason for the electoral pause is security. The security service chiefs, less than a week after confirming with rtd Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar that they were ready for the elections; suddenly had too much to do. Sambo Dasuki as well again, in his capacity as National Security Adviser, called for the elections to be shifted.

Femi Falana (SAN) pointed out that by law, only the national security council, headed by the GCFR, could categorically state on the army's preparedness to carry out her constitutional duties. Therefore, we again witness circumvention of due process and impunity by Nigerian leaders.

Prof Jega, without the affirmation of security, had no option but to postpone the elections. It would be suicidal to insist on elections knowing fully well that an under-armed police and untrained NYSC cannot effectively secure Nigerian and foreign lives. The possible backlash would be great and we would call for his head.

The question now is, who exactly is the head of state, grand commander, commander in chief of the armed forces. GEJ has made no statement before and after the recent developments on the state of preparedness of the army. Just like he showed in his 2014 roundtable interview, our president is either:
- unable to preside or
- presides in dubious ways and feigns ignorance.

Either way, it is dangerous.

We the Nigerians must remain firm, dutifully pick up our PVCs and vote March 28. We must resist any further 'magic'.