Police, DSS call for postponement of Edo election

The Nigerian Police Force and th Department of State Security DSS, have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the Saturday September 10th governorship election in Edo state for security reasons. The security agencies made the call at a joint press briefing at the DSS Headquarters in Abuja today September 7th.

According to the spokesman of the police, DCP Don Awunah and his DSS counterpart, Tony Okeowo represented by Garba Abdullahi, credible intelligence available to them indicates that there may be a terror attack during next week's Sallah holidays, especially in Edo State. ‎

The police spokesperson, Don Awunah, in a statement he read during the conference said it is in the light of the intelligence gathered that they make the appeal for the postponement of the election.

“The Nigeria police and the DSS wish to inform the general public that credible intelligence availed to the agencies indicate plans by insurgent/extremist elements to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets with high population during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between 12 and 13 September, 2016. Edo state is among the states being earmarked for these planned attacks by the extremists elements. It is in regard of this that we are appealing to INEC, which has legal duty to regulate elections in the country, to consider the need for possible postponement of the date of the election in Edo state in order to enable security agencies deal decisively with the envisaged terrorists threats. While the police/DSS remain mindful of the inconveniences this request may cause the various political stakeholders, it is our strong resolve that security agencies need not be distracted from ensuring a peaceful and secure Nigeria now and always”he said

President Muhammadu Buhari Hosts Council of State Meeting | Photos

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday summoned the meeting of the Council of State with former President Goodluck Jonathan, interim President Ernest Shonekan and former military Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar in attendance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that others at the meeting included state governors, the Chief Justice of the Federation, Mohammed Muhmud and former Chief Justices including Lawal Uwais, Dahiru Musdafa, Alfa Belgore and Alooma Muktar.

NAN reliably gathered that the meeting might discuss the confirmation of the acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and appointment of new National Commissioners for the National Population Commission (NPC).

Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, who are members of the Council, were not at the meeting when it started at about 11.08AM.i

The first meeting of the council, under the current political dispensation, was held on October 21, 2015.

See Photos:

PIC.3. FROM LEFT: FORMER PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA, JUSTICE LAWAL UWAIS; AND ANOTHER FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA, JUSTICE ALPHA BELGORE, EXCHANGE GREETINGS DURING THE COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY (7/9/16).
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PIC.4. FROM LEFT: FORMER HEAD OF THE INTERIM NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, CHIEF ERNERST SHONEKAN; FORMER HEAD OF STATE, GEN. ABDULSALAMI ABUBARKAR; FORMER PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; FORMER CHIEF JUSTICES OF NIGERIA, JUSTICE LAWAL UWAIS; JUSTICE ALPHA BELGORE; AND JUSTICE IDRIS KUTIGI, DURING THE COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY (7/9/16). 6809/7/9/2016/ICE/BJO/NAN

PIC.9. FROM RIGHT: PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI; VICE PRESIDENT YEMI OSINBAJO; SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION, DAVID BABACHIR LAWAL; CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT, ABBA KYARI; HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION, WINIFRED OYO-ITA; AND NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, BABAGANA MONGUNO, AT THE COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING ATTENDED BY FORMER PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER LEAVING OFFICE IN AUG. 2015, AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY (7/9/16). 6814/7/9/2016/ICE/BJO/NAN

PIC.10. FROM LEFT: FOMER HEAD OF THE INTERIM NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, CHIEF ERNERST SHIONEKAN; FORMER HEAD OF STATE, GEN. ABDULSALAMI ABUBARKAR; FORMER PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; FORMER CHIEF JUSTICES OF NIGERIA, JUSTICE LAWAL UWAIS AND JUSTICE ALPHA BELGORE, DURING THE COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY (7/9/16). IT WAS THE FIRST COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING ATTENDED BY FORMER PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN SINCE HE LEFT OFFICE ON MAY 29, 2015.
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PIC.11. A CROSS-SECTION OF STATE GOVERNORS DURING THE COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY (7/9/16).
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PIC.12. STATE GOVERNORS PRAYING DURING THE COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY (7/9/16).
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Photo Credit: NAN PHOTO