The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has condemned the postponement of the 2015 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying it could lead to a military coup.

The association in a statement issued today after its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja described the decision to shift the polls from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 as an insult to the collective intelligence of Nigerians.

“Insecurity as basis for postponement of elections sets the stage for military adventurism should the insurgency remain in six weeks time,” MDCAN said in the statement signed by its President, Dr. Steven Oluwole.

The association said that “the suffering of Nigerians in the North-East, who are now refugees in their own country, is lamentable.” It commended “members of the MDCAN in the North-East who continue to provide services without adequate protection.”

MDCAN lamented the “inability of government to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria” and the “increasing boldness of insurgents to take the battle to military bases.”

According to it, “Boko Haram is gradually achieving its primary objective to control Nigerian territory. Nigerian Army reputed for rolling out tanks and armoured personnel carriers to crush peaceful demonstration of students and labour organisations has no visible frontline against rag-tag Boko Haram.

“The military hardware displayed by Boko Haram will be destroyed by determined vigilantes let alone the military apparatus of a State. Nigerian Army has transited from a fighting to a frightened force holed-up in barricaded barracks like scared sparrows.

“Nigeria Army struggling to defend its bases raises the question who is defending Nigeria people? Boko Haram is existential threat to Nigeria.”

The association resolved that President Goodluck Jonathan “should reorganise the defense structure of the military” and “rid his government of the Boko Haram sympathisers, which he publicly admitted exist.”

On the rescheduled 2015 elections MDCAN noted that INEC had earlier stated its preparedness to hold the elections, although there were issues with the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), “which were not sufficient to alter the election dates.”

It said that “the convoluted, contrived, and bogus reasons given for postponement of the elections insult the collective intelligence of Nigerians,” adding: “Security chiefs are public servants who were aware of the elections for at least a year. Security chiefs who have failed to contain Boko Haram insurgency in six years now scheduled six weeks to do so.

“Insecurity as basis for postponement of elections sets the stage for military adventurism should the insurgency remain in six weeks time.”

MDCAN wondered if President Jonathan gave orders to his security chiefs to prepare for the elections. “Were the orders of Mr. President ignored? If so the security chiefs have betrayed their duty to be subordinate to civil authority, defied and set the stage for potential truncation of democracy for security reasons!” the association said.

According to MDCAN, “Security chiefs that failed to prepare for the elections should be relieved of their duties effective immediately by Mr President.

“Elections should be rescheduled for a fortnight.

“Failure or reluctance of Mr President to act speedily and decisively may put democratic governance in jeopardy and plunge this Country into chaos that will fulfill the forecast of some foreign powers.

“Mr President will lose the legitimacy to rule if he allows the fundamental principles of democracy to be violated and the will of the people that elected him derailed.”

•Photo shows MDCAN President, Dr. Steven Oluwole.

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