In a bid to demonstrate independence and impartiality in the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo States, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, emphasized that the commission does not have a preferred candidate for the upcoming polls.
Yakubu reiterates that INEC is not aligned with any political party, hence, the commission does not endorse or support any particular candidate in the governorship elections set to take place on Saturday.
Addressing the INEC staff on the eve of the elections, the Chairman cautioned against any form of interference, emphasizing the need for the electorate to freely exercise their right to choose their governors.
Regarding voter participation, Yakubu highlighted that 5,169,692 Nigerians who have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are expected to participate in the elections.
Notably, he emphasized the historical significance of these elections, as it marks the first time in the country’s history that such elections will be held simultaneously across three geo-political zones.
Encouraging INEC officials, both regular and ad-hoc, Yakubu urged them to demonstrate unwavering patriotism and professionalism throughout the electoral process.
Yakubu stated, “As I said repeatedly, not least during my recent readiness assessment visits to the three States, INEC is not a political party and we have no candidate in the election. Our responsibility is to safeguard the process and ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates. The choice of who becomes the Governor of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States is entirely in the hands of voters.”
Furthermore, he reassured that the polling unit results will be promptly uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, underscoring the preparedness of all election duty officials who have undergone comprehensive training.
In light of the logistical challenges in some areas, Yakubu affirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that officials are readily available at the polling stations, thereby eliminating any undue waiting time for the voters.
