Kogi and Bayelsa Governorship elections postponed to Nov. 16 – INEC
– The Kogi and Bayelsa Governorship elections has been postponed from November 2 to Nov. 16 by INEC
– The Election was postponed because the earlier date clashed with the Bayelsa state annual thanksgiving day
According to a latest report, Nigerian Electoral Body, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has postponed the Bayelsa and Kogi state governorship election from Nov. 2 by two weeks.
The report disclosed that the election will now hold November 16th.
INEC in it announcement disclosed that the timeline for all other activities prior to the elections have also been adjusted to go in line with the new date.
This was confirmed by INEC secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, who in a statement on Thursday said, “This timetable and schedule of activities supersede the one issued on April 9 2019.”
A report made it known that the latest development reached by the electoral body came after the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, John Jonah, led stakeholders from the state on a visit to the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, seeking an adjustment in date of the election.
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According to John Jonah the date that was earlier fixed for the election clashed with the state annual thanksgiving day.
Also confirming the report, the INEC National Commissioner and chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said,
“It will be recalled that on April 9, 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission released the timetable and schedule of activities for the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections. The commission fixed November 2 for the elections to hold in both states.
“However, the commission has received several appeals from the government, state Assembly, elders, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders in Bayelsa State that the election date coincides with the state’s annual thanksgiving day which is backed by the Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day Law 2012.
“After careful consideration of the appeals. the commission at its regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, May 16 decided to shift the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states to Saturday, November 16, 2017.
“The timelines for all other activities leading to the elections have also been adjusted to align with the new date.”
