Ahead of Governorship Polls, INEC Chairman Holds Meeting With Political Parties

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has met with the chairmen of various political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, was part of the stakeholders’ engagement scheduled by INEC ahead of the three off-circle governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo State.

According to a statement by INEC, the meeting was aimed at briefing the political parties about the preparations and the roles of political parties in the elections. It was also an opportunity for the parties to express their concerns and observations ahead of the exercise.

The INEC chairman stressed the importance of cooperation and adherence to electoral guidelines by the political parties and their candidates. He also urged them to conduct peaceful and issue-based campaigns and avoid violence and hate speech.

The chairmen of the political parties expressed their appreciation to INEC for the meeting and assured the commission of their support and commitment to free, fair, and credible elections. They also called on INEC to ensure a level playing field for all parties and candidates and to address any challenges that may arise during the elections.

The meeting was attended by representatives of 18 political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), among others.

The off-circle governorship elections are scheduled to take place on November 11, 2023, in Kogi and Bayelsa States, and on December 9, 2023, in Imo State. The elections are expected to be keenly contested by various political parties and candidates.