The Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC has released the final candidates’ lists for off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.
The commission has also fixed Wednesday 14 June, 2023 as the official date for the commencement of political campaigns for the elections.
Also only three females, out of 51, candidates have joined their male counterparts to jostle for a chance to become governor in the upcoming Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states governorship elections.
A statement on Tuesday, 6 June 2023 by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voters Education Committee, Barr Festus Okoye, in Abuja revealed that the lists have been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms
According to the list, all 18 political parties are fielding candidates in Kogi State, 17 in Imo State and 16 in Bayelsa State, while only two political parties are fielding female candidates in Bayelsa State, one in Kogi State and none in Imo State.
The two candidates fielded in Bayelsa are Oguara Nengimonyo of Action Democratic Party, ADP, and Ogege Kemelayefa Mercy of Action Peoples Party, APP, while the female candidate contesting in Kogi State is Suleiman Taiye Fatima of Zenith Labour Party, ZLP.
While one person living with disabilities, PLWDs, made the list of governorship contenders in Imo, a total of two female deputy governorship candidates are also contesting in Bayelsa, while Kogi has three female deputy governorship candidates and Imo has two.
According to Okoye, the decision to publish the final list is in line with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which requires the publication of the list not later than 150 days to election day i.e. Friday 9th June 2023 following the period for voluntary withdrawal and substitution of candidates by political parties under Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2022.
“The final list has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms. Same will be published in our State and Local Government offices in the the affected States on Thursday 8th June 2023 ahead of the statutory deadline of 9th June 2023.
“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 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 14th June 2023 in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and ends on 9th November 2023 i.e. 24 hours prior to election day.
‘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 said.
