2015: Learn from Afghanistan, N'East govs tell INEC

Governors Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe, and Kashim Shettima of Borno, states on Wednesday, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, to take a cue from it counterpart in Afghanistan.

The three governors noted that the Afghans  courageously held the country’s presidential and provincial elections last Saturday despite threats issued by the Taliban to disrupt the polls.

The governors, said this in  a joint statement issued on their behalf by their spokesmen, Ahmad Sajoh for Nyako, Abdullahi Bego for Gaidam, and Isa Gusau for Shettima.

They noted that  Afghanistan and its people were celebrated worldwide for liberating themselves from the scourge of fear.

This, they noted, sent  a strong signal that no amount of threat would stop them from choosing their leaders through democratic processes. “This is the kind of courage expected of genuine patriots,” they stated.

The statement partly read “Our INEC should please learn from the landmark election that took place in Afghanistan at the weekend during which electoral officials took the bold step of going on to conduct the elections in spite of threats by the Taliban to send the country into extinction if the elections were held.

“The   Central Government in Afghanistan provided adequate security for the conduct of the polls. It was also reported that there was a 53 per cent voter turn-out during the elections and it went on peacefully in most places.

“We all know that the unfortunate insurgency affecting this country has a similar attribute to the Taliban doctrine in Afghanistan even though ours is now assuming a very complicated character.

“The INEC should as a matter of counter- insurgency approach, ensure that no part of Nigeria is excluded from the 2015 elections on account of terrorism threats.”

They argued that suspending elections on account of threats by insurgents and other sundry social miscreants would amount to succumbing to their doctrine and conceding victory to terrorists at the expense of the country.

The governors also argued that should INEC go ahead with its earlier plan to exclude Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states from the 2015 elections, all criminal gangs needed to do, was to extend  the attacks to other parts of Nigeria and had more places excluded from future elections.

“It is also the inalienable right of citizens to elect their leaders in a democracy. To that extent, it also becomes an important obligation of the Federal Government to protect all citizens while they do so.

“The INEC should therefore work with the Federal Government to make adequate security preparations, if need be, a special arrangement, that will ensure smooth conduct of the election,” the statement added.

They also rejected  rumoured plans by the Federal Government to extend the state of emergency on the three states.

The governors said it  was their considered opinion that there was absolutely no reason to even contemplate an extension of the state of emergency in any of the three states.