NSA wants February election postponed

Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser (NSA), on Thursday, said it will be logical that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postpones the general election, following complaints that over 30 million people are still without permanent voter cards.

He also denied claims that the Federal Government was reluctant to accept international assistance on the Boko Haram insurgency.

Dasuki spoke in London at a briefing on ‘Nigeria’s Security: Insurgency, Elections and Coordinating Responses to Multiple Threats’, organised by the Chatham House.

Addressing concerns of over 30 million people without permanent voter cards, he said that it would be logical for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the election.

“These are my personal views, but if INEC can guarantee that it would provide the permanent voter card ahead of the election, then it should go ahead,” Dasuki said.

It would be recalled that Nigeria was reported in some quarters to have declined global assistance to curb insurgency in the country.

He said that the claims were baseless and untrue while recalling the various collaborative efforts between Nigeria and UK, U.S., France as well as Chad, among others, in tackling the insurgency.

“There are physical troops from Chad partnering with Nigeria, while the U.S., UK and France are offering assistance in capacity building and equipment supply,” he said.

The NSA also refuted claims on high level conspiracy in the army to prolong the insurgency, as well as lack of sophisticated equipment to fight the insurgents.

“The people peddling these stories were personnel who were not committed to the profession.

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“Rather than operate in line with the dictates of the job, they acted contrary to the law and they have been court marshalled.’’

While speaking on the nation’s level of preparedness ahead of next month’s general elections, Dasuki said that adequate security measures had been put in place to forestall election and post election violence.

He said that the 2011 post-election violence stemmed from people’s perception, adding: “So we have commenced sensitisation on ballot without bullets, to discourage the youth from violence.

“Similarly , stakeholders in the election have signed an agreement known as the ‘Abuja Accord’ on non violence,” the NSA said.

Fielding questions from participants on the Baga attack and Chibok girls , the national security adviser expressed government’s commitment in tackling the nation’s security challenges, noting that it would require a collaborative effort from Nigerians.

NAN reports that the event attracted participants from the international community, academia and media.

Chatham House, the Royal institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute which organises briefings on global issues.