The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic
Rights (CASER) a civil society group, has
approached the ECOWAS Community Court of
Justice seeking the suspension of 2015 general
elections in Nigeria.
Mr Frank Tiete, the Executive Director of CASER,
told a news conference in Abuja on Thursday that
the move was due to insecurity in parts the
country.
He said the group was motivated to file the
application based on early warning signs that lives
of Nigerians were being threatened ahead of the
elections, NAN reports.
Tiete, a lawyer, said the application sought an
order directing the President of ECOWAS to
urgently assess the security situation in Nigeria
and the under listed prayers.
“To invoke the necessary provisions of the
ECOWAS Protocol relating to the mechanism for
conflict prevention, management, resolution, peace
keeping and security.
“An order directing the ECOWAS President to
publish and disseminate the report of the Threat
Assessment of the Security Situation in Nigeria.
“An order directing the Federal Government and
the Authority of Heads of State and Government of
ECOWAS to publish the Federal Government’s
report.
“This is with a view to determining whether the
general elections in 2015 in Nigeria should be
postponed/suspended in order to protect and
preserve the citizens’ fundamental human right to
life.’’
Tiete said the application was pursuant to
provisions of the ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the
Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management,
Resolution, Peace Keeping and Security.
According to him, Section 11 (6) of ECOWAS
Conflict Prevention Framework provides that“
human security refers to….threats to people/
individual’s rights, livelihoods, safety and life.’’
He said the call had legal basis in Section 135(3)
of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
“If the federation is at war in which Nigeria is
physically involved and the President considers
that it is not practicable to hold elections, the
National Assembly may extend the period of four
years mentioned in subsection (2) of 135.
“But no such extension shall exceed a period of
six months at any time.’’
Tiete said the present political, ethnic and religious
tensions in Nigeria were far greater in degree than
the situation before 2011 elections which led to
post election violence that claimed several lives.
According to him, the present state of insecurity of
human life in Nigeria cannot sustain the conduct of
general elections.
The lawyer said the application was purely in
public interest as there was no iota of connection
between the action and any political party.

Insurgency that didn't end for the past six years...ok when should dey postpone it till?