Edo Guber Countdown: 8 Parties Yet to Submit Candidates, INEC Warns Deadline Unmovable

With just two days remaining until the March 24 deadline for submission of candidates for the September 21 gubernatorial election in Edo State, eight of the 18 political parties involved are yet to submit their nominations, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, revealed this information at a recent consultative meeting with media organizations, emphasizing that the deadline would not be extended.

He also urged the media and the general public to scrutinize the candidates’ bio-data and credentials, as required by law.

In regards to the Ondo State gubernatorial election, Yakubu stated that 17 out of 18 parties have shown interest in participating and encouraged media organizations to engage with political parties and their aspirants during the primaries, as they are crucial to the democratic process.

As the election season progresses, the spread of fake news and misinformation becomes a significant concern.

To address this issue, the INEC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the media, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accurate reporting.

Yakubu highlighted some of the innovations introduced by the Commission to improve service delivery, ensure the safety and security of journalists, and grant them unimpeded access to various locations during elections and electoral activities.

He encouraged media outlets to continue being a bulwark against fake news and misleading narratives about the Commission and its activities.

The Edo gubernatorial election is just around the corner, and the clock is ticking for the remaining eight political parties to submit their candidates.

As the countdown continues, it remains to be seen whether these parties will meet the deadline and how the media will respond to the call for greater scrutiny and transparency during this critical election period.