Bayelsa and Imo Governors Douye Diri and Hope Uzodinma have made the final list of candidates for the off-circle elections in the two states released on Tuesday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipreye Silva and National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu as well as Senstor Dino Melaye also made the final list in their respective States.
Silva of the APC is contesting the governorship election in Bayelsa State while Anyanwu and Melaye are contesting under the PDP in Imo and Kogi states respectively.
A statement by the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Barrister Festus Okoye, said the list which has been uploaded on the commission website will be published in the three state capital from Thursday.
He however expressed concern over the ugly incident which occurred between two rival parties in Kogi state recently and appealed to political parties to go about their campaign which is expected to begin next week Wednesday without ran Court.
The statement said: “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 the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the three elections, the 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 the 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 Nation ======
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