Lagos - Nigerian President
Goodluck Jonathan said
Wednesday that he was "not
consulted" on a widely-
criticised decision to postpone
national elections by six weeks,
rejecting claims that his
political interests motivated the
delay.

"I was not consulted and I don't
want to be consulted," Jonathan
said in a nationally broadcast
interview, insisting that election
officials made an independent
decision after receiving
guidance from the security
agencies.

The opposition and some
independent commentators
have argued that Jonathan's
Peoples Democratic Party had
pushed for the delay fearing that
it was heading for electoral defeat.

But Jonathan said he did not
"see the big deal" concerning the
postponement, as the
Independent National Electoral
Commission acted within the
constitution.
He said difficulties in
distributing voter identity cards
and security concerns in the
northeast region besieged by
Boko Haram Islamist militants
were legitimate reasons for a
delay.
He added that the "international
community" occasionally sees
election delays in Africa as an
excuse by the incumbent to
"extend tenure."

"That is not the case in Nigeria,"
he told a panel of reporters,
assuring that a democratically
elected government will be
sworn in on May 29, in keeping
with constitutional provisions.
Jonathan is facing a tough
challenge from former military
ruler Muhammadu Buhari of the
opposition All Progressives
Congress and most experts have
said the race is too close to call.
- AFP

He said so much more.

In 2011, I was already in my village when INEC announced elections had been moved by 2 weeks. I didn't know

INEC did not consult me before postponing elections. I don't even want to be consulted by INEC-President Jonathan

INEC is an independent body and if INEC conducts this election poorly, it's on my head

People are not being fair to me over postponement of election, I do not decide the date for the elections
Few people are doing things for me i think are not the best, there must be a nation before you do what you want to do

I appointed Jega and if I think he's not good, I have the power by constitution to remove him

I've not told anyone I want to remove Jega
I don't see why we continue to doubt that elections will hold. Elections will hold!

Election is like any tournament, FIFA says March, later say April or May. The winning team will still win. No big deal

Let me reassure Nigerians that elections will be conducted in this country and a govt will be inaugurated on May 29th

We found it difficult to contain BH because we didn't get the necessary equipment and our neighbours were not too committed

Nobody is saying Boko Haram must be wiped out completely before they conduct elections

I had meetings with the President of Chad and he said before he can send troops the AU have to be involved

Is it by going to carry flags and singing around the world that we'll bring our girls back? Why use your international links negatively?

I cannot give a time frame that the Chibok girls will be rescued, I don't want to be quoted
I am more hopeful now than before on the Chibok girls

If you put a goat where yam is, it will eat it. If you put people where money is, they'll steal it

The word corruption we have abused it and it's not making so much sense. I did not say stealing is not corruption

A thief is a thief. Don't use the word corruption to cover stealing. Call the person a thief

We must not destroy Nigeria because of elections
I attend Muslim programmes like youth programmes
Nobody will go to war. Nigeria will remain Nigeria
#GEJMediaChat

Grand Liar Of The Federal Republic (GLFR) GEJ's new title

lie lie lieee... there is God ooooo

this is interesting. I'm still @ war with my instincts to stick with gej but I'm gradually getting confused i really pray I will see and choose the beta side

But did your service chiefs consult with you sir? Mr President, Nigerians are intelligent na. Haba. Small Small o...Diaris God