The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially published the final list of candidates for the upcoming governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states. This announcement marks a significant milestone in the electoral process as the candidates are now confirmed for the crucial November 11 elections.
Mr. Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, shared that the approval of the list came after a meeting held by the Commission on Tuesday in Abuja. He highlighted that this action aligns with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the publication of the list no later than 150 days before the election day, specifically by Friday, June 9, 2023. The statement further explained that the final list has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms, and it will also be published in INEC’s State and Local Government offices in the affected states on Thursday, June 8, 2023, well ahead of the statutory deadline.
According to the released list, all 18 political parties have nominated candidates in Kogi, 17 in Bayelsa, and 16 in Imo states. It also reveals that two political parties are fielding female candidates in Bayelsa State, one in Kogi State, while no female candidates are listed for Imo State.
In accordance with the electoral timetable and schedule of activities for the three elections, INEC reminded political parties and candidates that official public campaigning will commence on Wednesday, June 14, and conclude on November 9.
Addressing a concerning incident that occurred last week in Kogi, Mr. Okoye expressed his worry over the clashes between the convoys of two political actors, resulting in the destruction of vehicles and other properties. He urged all parties and candidates to conduct their political activities with civility and decorum, emphasizing that peaceful electioneering sets the stage for a peaceful election.
With the final list of candidates now released, the electoral landscape in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states takes a definitive shape, and the stage is set for an intense campaign period leading up to the November governorship elections.
Note: The electoral timetable and schedule of activities mentioned in this article are hypothetical and do not reflect any specific timeline.
