Kogi, Bayelsa Gov Polls: Parties Set Agenda for INEC

Political parties that are warming up to participate in the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states have tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make adequate preparations for credible polls.

INEC had in a statement issued last weekend through its chairman on information and voter education committee, Chris O. Iyimoga, fixed November 21, 2015 and December 5, 2015 for Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections respectively.

Speaking to our correspondent on telephone, the chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and national chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said his party expected an improvement in the use of card readers during the upcoming elections.

For his part, the national chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, who expressed readiness to participate in the elections, however, advised that the dates must be in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.

“We suggest the use of card readers for the two elections. INEC must ensure that they are very effective so that they do not fail. That will reduce the level of litigations after the elections,” Okorie added.

But the national chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Peter Ameh, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that his party would field candidates for the elections.

The National Director of Publicity of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Oguejiofor Ifeanacho also told our correspondent that his party would field candidates for the two elections.

Similarly, a former presidential candidate and the national chairman of the Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Chief Sam Eke, who also said his party was prepared to field candidates, also stressed that INEC must improve on the use of card readers to ensure continuity. He said, “we must not go back to the analog era.”

National publicity secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Anayo Arinze, also said, “INEC must ensure that the election dates are in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act. It must also ensure that all eligible voters are accredited with the card readers which must be effective.”

Meanwhile, a former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will dislodge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his home state.