Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 8 February 2015: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has called for calm following the announcement, on Saturday 7 February 2015, postponing the elections by six weeks. The impending Presidential and National Legislative Elections which were originally planned for 14 February have been shifted to 28 March 2015. The Gubernatorial and State Legislative Elections planned for 28 February will now hold 11 April 2015.
In view of the reasons that informed the INEC’s decision to postpone the elections, the AU Commission Chairperson urges the people of Nigeria and political actors to respect the decision by the INEC. The Chairperson also calls on all national, regional and international stakeholders to lend maximum cooperation and support to the INEC. She implores to the Nigerian Security Forces, even as they battle the Boko Haram insurgents to ensure security in the north east of Nigeria, to make every effort to provide security of the election material, personnel, observers and voters in assisting INEC conduct peaceful, democratic, transparent and credible elections.
The Chairperson continues to follow closely the preparation for the national and state elections in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and commends the leaders for the wider consultations carried, especially with all major stakeholders, before the decision to postpone the elections was reached.
In the meantime, the AU Long Term Observers who have been on ground since 28 January 2015, will remain on the ground to closely follow up and monitor the process.
The Chairperson will continue to follow the situation and avails the support of the AU to the authorities in Nigeria.

JEE/