The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called upon political parties to diligently follow the established schedule of activities to avoid last-minute complications that could jeopardize the successful nomination of candidates for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. These elections are set for September and November respectively.
Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, emphasized that there would be no extension beyond the already published deadline in the “Timetable and Schedule of Activities.” This is to ensure compliance with the legal requirement to publish the personal particulars of candidates (Form EC9) by March 31, 2024, for the Edo governorship polls. Yakubu made these remarks during the first regular quarterly consultative meeting for 2024 with political parties in Nigeria, convened under the auspices of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja.
Yakubu highlighted that party primaries for the Edo State governorship election have been completed, and according to the established timetable, political parties have 20 days to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to the dedicated portal. Despite this, only six parties have thus far uploaded their nominations, prompting INEC to urge strict adherence to proposed dates and modes of primaries.
Concerning the Ondo State governorship election, Yakubu announced that party primaries are set to commence in two weeks on April 6 and conclude three weeks later on April 27, 2024. He revealed that 16 out of 19 political parties have expressed interest in participating in the election.
Yakubu also addressed recent rerun and bye-elections, acknowledging the diverse outcomes and congratulating the winners. However, he highlighted disruptions by thugs in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State. INEC is actively engaging with stakeholders, including security agencies, and plans to announce new dates for the re-run elections in these constituencies soon.