As the final countdown to Saturday’s by-elections across the country ebbs, the major political parties are on the warpath with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the list of candidates for the elections.
Checks by the Nigerian Tribune showed anger and frustration by the parties against the commission on the fate of some candidates chosen for the polls. The parties involved include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The parties are disenchanted with the way INEC is handling the list of candidates submitted for the polls.
The by-elections are to be held in 12 states, and the exercise will cover two senatorial seats, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies. The total number of registered voters involved is about 3,553,659, spread across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units. The two senatorial districts are Anambra-South and Edo-Central in Anambra and Edo states respectively.
In Oyo State, the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election is perceived by PDP, APC, SDP and the ADC as a test of strength and capacity. While the other parties are leveraging the unity of purpose among their members, this cannot be said of the APC, as the members are divided over the choice of candidate for the election. Nine other contenders for the ticket are aggrieved over the process that led to the primaries.
In Edo, the PDP, APC and the INEC are embroiled in a war of words over an alleged plot to undermine elections in the state. The Edo PDP, through its caretaker committee chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, demanded the immediate redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuaha.
“Is it the REC that made them fail in the election? Will the REC be in all the polling units? Will that be possible? They are calling for my removal, even if they remove me, I will go to another state. I am not afraid of being redeployed. What I am doing here is keeping my conscience alive. Election is not an event alone but a process. Even when we have done our own, it does not stop there; the court has the right to say this election was not conducted according to the extant laws and regulations.” He said nine parties, excluding the LP, will participate in the exercise.
