No fewer than 101 candidates are contesting for the November 16, governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States. Out of this, there 52 in Bayelsa and 49 in Kogi.
Also, out of the 101 nominees for the two States, 91 are male, representing 90%, while 10 are female, representing 10% of all the nominees, and of the 52 nominees for Bayelsa State, 6 are female and 46 are male, whereas, the corresponding figures for Kogi State are 4 female and 45 male nominees.
According to a statement by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Abuja on Thursday, 64 political parties conducted primaries in Bayelsa State as against 59 in Kogi State and out of these, 52 political parties for Bayelsa State and 49 for Kogi state respectively submitted the list of candidates and their personal particulars at the close of nomination at 6pm on Monday 9th September 2019.
The statement signed by Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee said, while some of the political parties that conducted primaries did not submit any list and personal particulars of candidates, a few failed to submit within the time limit prescribed in the Constitution.
Okoye announced that, in accordance with the Electoral Act and in line with the timetable and schedule of activities for the Bayelsa State and Kogi State Governorship elections, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of nominated candidates for the elections on Friday, 13th September.
He said the personal particulars of the nominees will be published on the notice boards of INEC offices in Yenagoa and Lokoja, adding that, as required by law, the Commission monitored the primaries of the political parties and the list of aspirants who emerged has since been published on its website and other platforms.
The INEC National Commissioner also disclosed that, the Commission has uncovered the submission of underage candidates by some political parties and it would communicate the affected parties for appropriate actions.
“The publication of the personal particulars of nominees is for members of the public to make any claims and objections regarding these candidates, as required by law.
“Similarly, the Commission has observed from a preliminary review of the list and personal particulars submitted by the political parties that some of the Governorship and Deputy-Governorship candidates are below the minimum age prescribed by the Constitution for these positions. The Commission will notify the concerned parties soon and subsequently consider further action.
“As we continue to prepare for the Bayelsa and Kogi Governorship elections scheduled for Saturday 16th November 2019, the Commission once more reminds the political parties of the timelines in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities and requests strict compliance with them. We look forward to working with the parties and all stakeholders to make the forthcoming elections in the two States free, fair and credible”, he stated.
James Kwen, Abuja
