Senate Expresses Dissatisfaction As 23 Parties Set to Contest Kogi, Bayelsa Governorship Poll

The Senate has expressed disaffection over the number of political parties fielding candidates in the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

This was stated by the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) when they met with the chairman of the agency, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who came to brief members of the Committee on preparations for the polls. The elections will November 16.

Speaking on the situation, Chairman Senate Committee on INEC, Kabiru Gaya, and former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said the number of political parties that would be contesting the elections contravened the amended electoral act.

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Twenty-three political parties will be fielding candidates out of the 49 that initially filed nominations in Kogi state. Forty-five political parties will be fielding candidates for the same exercise in Bayelsa state.

Ekweremadu, who expressed dismay over the number of political parties and insisted it was a breach of the 2010 electoral act (as amended), pointed that by the act, political parties that failed to win a seat in the general elections should be deregistered.

Gaya, who is representing Kano South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, wondered why the electoral umpire would allow “failed” political parties to appear on the ballot in Kogi and Bayelsa, and reiterated Ekweremadu’s submission that those parties that didn’t perform shouldn’t be on the ballot.

“The existing electoral act, as amended, has precluded the participation of parties that didn’t perform in the last elections. Why are you putting them in the ballot in the forthcoming elections?”,’ he queried.

According to him, his Committee was determined to reduce the number of existing political parties to three or five.

“We need to amend the act to reduce the political parties to a maximum of five, and this committee is committed to reducing the number of political parties to save taxpayers money. ”

While wishing INEC success in the conduct of the governorship elections, Gaya said his Committee would ensure that INEC continues to play by the rules to inspire public confidence in the electoral process.

In his defence, Professor Yakubu said his Commission was in a dilemma to take decisive action to deregister political parties as a result of pending electoral litigations, which could alter its judgement.

“The Commission had systematically deregistered under the electoral act. But the parties insisted that the electoral act is inferior to the Constitution.

“Again, at what point can we say the election has been concluded? Is it after we have issued Certificate of Return or after the courts have concluded judgements on petitions arising from elections?” he asked.

READ: Bayelsa, Kogi Gov Elections: INEC Delivers Non-sensitive Materials

He also confirmed that the Commission is prepared for the polls by making sure all non-sensitive materials are deployed.

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