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With less than 48 hours to Saturday’s by-elections in 12 states, major political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are locked in a fierce dispute over the final list of candidates.
The elections expected to fill two senatorial seats, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies, will involve 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units.
The senatorial contests will hold in Anambra South and Edo Central districts, while federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo will also be up for grabs.
Nine state constituencies across Adamawa, Anambra, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara are also on the ballot.
Labour Party Battles Exclusion
Naija News understands that the Labour Party’s participation remains uncertain as INEC has not reversed its decision to exclude the party from the exercise.
The names of its candidates were submitted by the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), but the electoral umpire struck them out.
Speaking on Tuesday, the LP’s national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, told Nigerian Tribune the party had taken the matter to court.
“Courts will do something soonest,” he said when asked if the decision was being challenged.
Last week, the affected candidates, alongside civil society organisations, staged a protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja, demanding reinstatement.
However, the party’s interim leadership, headed by Senator Nenadi Usman, threw its weight behind INEC, insisting the excluded candidates emerged from illegal primaries.
Senator Usman’s media aide, Ken Asogwa, said, “We are in agreement with INEC in removing the names submitted by Abure, but we also called on INEC to upload the names of the authentic Labour Party candidates.”
SDP Awaits Court Ruling, Remains Optimistic
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is also in a delicate situation as its candidates are yet to be cleared.
The National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, said, however, that the party is optimistic the courts will decide in its favour.
“We are very sure the court will rule in our favour as our candidates were validly nominated. Our people are on the field canvassing for support. I’m appealing to members to remain calm, we are on top of the situation,” he said.
Edo PDP Demands REC’s Removal Over Alleged Bias
In Edo State, the PDP and INEC are in a war of words over alleged plans to manipulate the process.
The PDP’s caretaker chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, accused the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Anugbum Onuaha, of bias, demanding his immediate redeployment.
“We will not tolerate any form of electoral manipulation. We insist on a fair, credible and transparent election and urge INEC and security agencies to protect every vote,” Aziegbemi warned.
However, Onuaha dismissed the allegations, saying, “Is it the REC that made them fail in the election? Even if they remove me, I will go to another state. I am keeping my conscience alive. Election is not just an event but a process.”
Oyo Police Order Market Closure As Parties Sign Peace Accord
Naija News reports that in Oyo State’s Ibadan North Federal Constituency, the by-election has been described as a test of strength for the PDP, APC, SDP, and ADC.
But unity appears elusive in the APC, with nine aspirants still aggrieved over the primaries.
In the meantime, the Oyo State police command has ordered all markets in the constituency closed until 5pm on election day, with restrictions on human and vehicular movement.
All five participating parties; APC, PDP, SDP, ADC, and Accord signed a peace accord at INEC’s Ibadan office.
Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, stressed compliance with the Electoral Act.
Adamawa Signs Peace Deal Amid Vote-Bait Allegations
In Adamawa’s Ganye LGA, political parties signed a peace accord brokered by the police.
The State Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, urged parties to “place peace above political ambitions” and warned against violence.
The PDP accused the APC of distributing flood relief materials to woo voters, a claim the APC denied.
“We have not recorded any flood in Ganye LGA. So, no material was taken there in form of relief materials,” said APC spokesperson, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed.
Fierce Campaigns in Zamfara, Anambra, Taraba
In Zamfara – APC, PDP, and ADC are confident of victory in Kaura Namoda South constituency after the death of an APC lawmaker created the vacancy.
In Anambra – The Anambra South senatorial seat is vacant following Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s death.
While in Taraba – Governor Agbu Kefas leads PDP’s campaign in Karim I constituency, facing an APC team that includes heavyweights like Senator Abdulaziz Yari, ex-Governor Jolly Nyame, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Kano ADC Boycotts Poll, NNPP Vows Victory
Meanwhile, in Kano’s Bagwai/Shanono state constituency, the ADC has reportedly pulled out, alleging past polls were marred by “violence, buying of votes and other acts inimical to peaceful election.”
The NNPP, however, is upbeat. State chairman, Alhaji Hashim Dugunrawa, said his party would humble the APC at the polls.
Kogi Fields Five Parties in Dekina-Okura Poll
Naija News understands that only five parties; Accord, ADC, APC, APM, and PDP, will contest the Kogi State by-election in Dekina-Okura constituency, following the death of former deputy speaker, Honourable Enema Paul, last December.
State REC, Oliver Agundu, assured full readiness, saying all non-sensitive materials had been deployed, while sensitive materials would arrive between Wednesday and Thursday.
The post By-Elections: Tension Mounts As LP, PDP, APC, ADC, INEC Lock Horns Over Candidate List Ahead Of Saturday Polls appeared first on Naija News.
