BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Elder Agbonkonkon Ogbeide, yesterday, called for the postponement of the 2015 general elections, saying that the persistent violence in parts of the North due to the activities of the Boko Haram sect had made the country unsafe for elections.

He suggested that the National Assembly should extend the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan and allow the national conference to conclude its sitting before any election could hold, adding that the resolution of the conference will help chart a new direction for the country.

Speaking to newsmen, Ogbeide said: “We may not conduct meaningful elections in 2015 with such confusion hanging in the air unresolved. These issues continue to bring about the need to restructure the country. Postponing the election is a price all Nigerians should pay in order to usher in an era of lasting peace and national integration.

“Besides, the Boko Haram insurgents and other flashpoints of restiveness in the country should be fought by all Nigerians before any meaningful general elections can hold in 2015. These are issues that must be discussed at the confab because some groups may not want to remain in Nigeria and that will stop the insurgency. So, it is better to find solution to all the problems we are having before any election will be successful in Nigeria.”