Nigeria's influential council of state has decided to press
ahead with presidential elections on 14 February, rejecting calls for a
postponement.
Nigeria's national security adviser had called for a delay
to allow more time for voter card distribution.
The country is also facing mounting attacks from the Boko
Haram militant group.
But Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha said election
officials had insisted they were "very ready".
President Goodluck Jonathan is facing a strong challenge
from former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari in the vote, expected to be the
most tightly contested since military rule ended in 1999.
The council of state - including the main presidential
candidates, ex-leaders, state governors and election officials - met in the
capital, Abuja, on Thursday to discuss the election.
"No decision was taken to change the date. The date
remains February 14. INEC (the Independent National Electoral Commission)
reassured us that they are prepared to conduct the election," Mr Okorocha
told journalists.
Several of Nigeria's smaller opposition parties, as well as
national security adviser Sambo Dasuki, had been urging a postponement of the poll.
But Mr Buhari's APC party opposed the delay.
APC campaign media head Malam Garba Shehu said a delay would
have caused a crisis and "made Nigeria the laughing stock of the civilised
world", in a statement seen by Reuters.
Polling will not be conducted in Boko Haram-controlled
areas. Some 69 million Nigerians out of a population of 177 million are
eligable to vote.
-http://www.bbc.com/
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