The Independent National Electoral Commission has officially released the final list of candidates for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.
After the initial primaries, INEC had previously published the personal details of the governorship candidates and their running mates across state and local government offices in Edo State.
The election is scheduled to happen on September 21, 2024.
Seventeen political parties are putting forward candidates for the election.
INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced that some political parties organized new primaries to substitute their earlier selected candidates before the April 15, 2024, deadline.
Olumekun said, “The Commission is pleased to announce the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election. Following the initial primaries, the Commission published the personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates in our State and Local Government offices in Edo State.
“In line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, some political parties conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates by the deadline of April 15, 2024. The Action Alliance and African Democratic Congress replaced their Governorship candidates and their running mates. In addition, the African Action Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Boot Party, and New Nigeria Peoples Party replaced the running mates of their candidates only.
“Overall, 17 political parties are fielding candidates in the election. 16 are male while one is female. The final list, which also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age, academic qualifications, and disability, has been published at our office in Edo State and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.”
Olumekun further announced that political campaigning is set to kick off on April 23, 2024, and will conclude on September 19, 2024.
He emphasised, “With the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election, the next activity is an electioneering campaign.
“As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, the campaign by Political Parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before that day.
“Therefore, political parties are now permitted to start campaigning in public from Wednesday, April 24, 2024, and end at midnight on Thursday, 19th September 2024, as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.”
INEC issued a stern reminder to all candidates, agents, and supporters to conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum, in strict adherence to the provisions of the law.
Sections 92 – 97 of the Electoral Act 2022 were emphasized by the commission, highlighting the importance of avoiding inciting language, violence, and voter inducement.
Olumekun warned, “As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the commission reminds candidates, agents, and their supporters of the provision of the law and the commission’s guidelines governing such activity.
"In order to stress the importance, political parties must conduct their campaigns with politeness and dignity, avoiding encouraging violence, attempting to influence voters, and other violations listed in Sections 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022."
