By Wole Mosadomi

Minna—Former Nigeria’s Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, UN, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has warned against further moves to change the election dates in the country to avoid constitutional crisis, which could eventually lead to chaos.

Gambari spoke when he led the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy and Development under the Council of the Wise on a courtesy visit to the Niger State governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu in Minna, yesterday.

He spoke even as Governor Aliyu insisted that the Independednt National Electoral Commission, INEC, was not yet ready as many Nigerians, including some state governors were yet to collect their permanent voter’s cards, PVCs.

Gambari said though the initial postponement of the elections was a blessing to the country, any attempt to tamper with the electoral timetable again would likely lead to crisis.

He advised INEC to stick to the new dates for the general elections, noting that though most Nigerians were initially shocked by the shift of dates, it was later realised that INEC was not ready for the elections as clearly shown so far.

He said: “The shift has eventually become a blessing in disguise as many eligible voters now have the opportunity to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card, PVCs, which would have disfranchised them.

“It has also allowed the security agencies to ensure adequate security, especially in the North-East, but we should at this point avoid another shift to avoid constitutional crisis which could lead to multiple crisie.”

Gambari stated that his group was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring peace and orderliness before, during and after the elections and therefore asked the government and Nigerians to ensure that peace was maintained throughout the election period.

He said: “Nigeria is the giant of Africa, pace setter and the biggest economy in the continent and the region is looking at us for peace.

“We have restored peace in other countries and that is why we must replicate this in Nigeria; but this should not be left in the hands of INEC alone.”