INEC Publishes Final List Of Candidates For Bayelsa, Kogi And Imo Governorship Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates to contest the Saturday, November 11, 2023, end-of-tenure governorship election scheduled to hold in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states.
According to Victor Ayodele Aluko, the list, which was published by the Commission in compliance with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, was contained in a press statement by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, Esq., issued on Tuesday.
Okoye disclosed that the final list of candidates for the three off-cycle governorship elections scheduled to hold in the three states had been published on the Commission’s website and social media platforms, while adding that “same will be published in our State and Local Government offices in the affected states on Thursday, June 8, 2023, ahead of the statutory deadline of June 9, 2023”.
According to the IVEC Chairman, “the list shows that all 18 political parties are fielding candidates in Kogi State, 17 in Imo State and 16 in Bayelsa State. The list also shows that two political parties are fielding female candidates in Bayelsa State, one in Kogi State, and none in Imo State”.
The statement also restated that campaigns for the governorship election in the three states should officially flag off on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. It read “The Commission wishes to remind political parties and candidates that, in line with Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the three elections, campaign in public officially commences on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, and ends on November 9, 2023, i.e., 24 hours prior to election day”.
It further called on parties and their candidates to go about their electioneering campaigns with decorum and civility, while frowning at an ugly incident involving the convoys of two political actors that led to the destruction of vehicles and properties.
Registering its displeasure over the development, the Commission said, “Regrettably, the ugly incident last week involving the convoys of two political actors in Kogi State resulting in the destruction of vehicles and other properties ahead of the commencement of campaign is worrisome”.
“We urge parties and candidates to conduct their political activities with civility and decorum, as peaceful electioneering heralds a peaceful election. Political parties and candidates have a responsibility to de-escalate tension ahead of the elections, the statement reads”.