The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially published the final list and personal details of candidates slated for the upcoming bye-elections. This announcement comes through a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
Scheduled for February 3, 2024, the bye-elections will span nine states, encompassing two senatorial districts (Ebonyi South and Yobe East), four federal constituencies (Shanga/Ngaski/Yauri Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, Surulere I Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State, and Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba State), and three state constituencies (Guma I State Constituency of Benue State, Chibok State Constituency of Borno State, and Chikun State Constituency of Kaduna State).
Olumekun emphasized that the personal details and final list of candidates were officially published on Wednesday in the commission’s state offices and the respective constituencies affected by the bye-elections. This publication adheres to the provisions outlined in Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The commission urged Nigerians to carefully scrutinize the personal particulars, including Form EC9 and academic credentials, of the candidates. Candidates who participated in their party primaries and possess reasonable grounds to doubt the accuracy of the provided information can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as stipulated in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Olumekun clarified that this publication exclusively pertains to the forthcoming bye-elections, emphasizing that it concerns fresh elections where political parties conducted primaries and nominated their candidates. Additionally, he noted that the list and personal details of candidates for rerun elections scheduled for February 3, 2024, were previously published before the 2023 General Election. These rerun elections are conducted based on the orders of the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals and do not involve new or disqualified candidates.
