20100922
africanews

All the major political parties in oil-rich Nigeria have agreed to shift the upcoming general elections from January to April 2011. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proposed for an extended time in order to conduct credible and a 'Grade A' polls that would satisfy all stakeholders and observers.

According to the Vanguard, the chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega’s proposal was in agreement with leaders of the political parties at a meeting in Abuja, that the timeline for the primaries and other activities leading to the conduct of the elections were not feasible and should be shifted to enable the commission to perfect its preparations.

Jega who stated this when he met with the leadership of registered political parties in the country also said the commission's decision to seek more time was not borne out of any 'hidden agenda' but to ensure that the huge expectations of Nigerians for a free, fair and credible elections were met.

Vanguard gathered that INEC chairman's position was also endorsed by majority of the leaders of all registered political parties in attendance at the meeting including Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

Jega said: "There appears to be an overwhelming consensus that we are facing a very serious time constraint and it is necessary for something to be done to address this time constraint. If I got the message very clearly, most of the contributors are not only supportive of the need to have additional time to be able to do a good work, they have also pledged to be supportive in ensuring that this time extension is got.