An uneasy relationship now exists between presidency and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the reason adduced for the adjustment of the general election dates, TheCable understands.

Attahiru Jega, a professor of political science and INEC chairman, had attributed the shift in dates from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 respectively to a letter written by the military over its “inability” to provide security for the elections because of ongoing operations against Boko Haram in the north-east.

But a presidency official who spoke with TheCable at the weekend said Jega was being “clever by half” and was attempting to “pass the buck” in order to cover up for INEC’s poor preparations for the elections.

The official only spoke on the condition that he would not be quoted.

“Jega was not sincere at all. The collection of PVCs was to end last Saturday and 23 million cards were yet to be distributed. Why was Jega not man enough to admit they would have bungled the elections if the dates had remained unchanged?” he asked.

According to the official, who is a presidential aide, the security issue was just one of the several factors that necessitated the shift in the dates “but Jega has cleverly gone to tell the whole world that it was the security agencies that forced him to change the dates.”

He said journalists should have asked him what he intended to do with the 23 million uncollected PVCs as well as the ones that were stolen from INEC’s custody.

“Jega was also silent on the fact that the machines that would be deployed to read the cards had not been tested and its officials had not even been trained on how to use them, while there is yet no consolidated voter register. Jega himself admitted to his commissioners that the election would have ended in chaos if INEC had gone ahead. The letter written by the chief of defence staff was the perfect excuse for him to shift the polls and heap all the blame on security,” he said.

President Goodluck Jonathan had grown suspicious of Jega, the source added, because of the “lopsidedness” in the management of the PVC distribution exercise and the pronouncements of the INEC chairman on Saturday are believed to have worsened matters.

Rumours have been circulating that Jega may be asked to proceed on terminal leave since his tenure ends on June 30, 2015, with an acting chairman appointed to oversee the elections.

However, this looks unlikely since he can only proceed on terminal leave three months to the expiration of his tenure — which is not earlier than March 30, 2015, two days after the new date for state elections.

It is unprecedented that a new chairman would be appointed for INEC in the middle of a general election.

Jega himself has said he has no reason to resign but would do so if he has to.

Section 132 (2) of the constitution allows for elections to be held up till April 30, and this had further fuelled fears that the country may be plunged into a crisis if Jega is asked to proceed on terminal leave.

There would however be a constitutional crisis if the election is held on April 30 and there is a need for run-off if no candidate meets the requirements to be declared a winner.

The constitution stipulates that the run-off should be held within seven days, effectively making it impossible to hold the election 30 days to the May 29 exit date for the current administration.

The US has already warned Nigeria against “further delays” — a clear message that there should be no further change in dates.

Although the US cannot force Nigeria to hold elections, it may consider imposing sanctions on the Jonathan government.

Credit:  Thecable