The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of political parties leading up to the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states.
The governorship election in Edo State is slated for September 21, 2024, while the Ondo State governorship election is scheduled for November 16, 2024.
Senator Monday Okpebholo, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, emerged as the winner of the Edo State All Progressives Congress governorship primary election. Similarly, Olumide Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, clinched the governorship primary of the Edo State Labour Party, becoming the party’s candidate for the forthcoming election. Asue Ighodalo was chosen as the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in the upcoming Edo poll.
During the first regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu expressed concern over infractions such as contentious primaries and the emergence of multiple candidates, which often result in unnecessary litigation among party members.
Yakubu urged political parties to adhere strictly to their proposed dates and methods of primaries, emphasizing the disruption and costliness associated with frequent changes.
He also cautioned against acrimonious primaries and the tendency to grant waivers to candidates who were recently members of other parties, urging parties to find solutions to these issues to avoid unnecessary legal battles.
Regarding the nomination process, Yakubu revealed that only six parties contesting the Edo governorship poll have uploaded their nominations to the portal, while 16 out of 19 parties have expressed interest in running for the Ondo governorship poll. He warned that no extension of the deadline would be granted.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Dantalle, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, assured that the council would be proactive in ensuring that the Edo and Ondo States governorship elections meet the expectations of Nigerians and the international community. He emphasized the importance of strict adherence to internal party democracy to reduce pre-election litigation.
