As the Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi governorship elections draw near, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has charged the commission’s staff to uphold integrity and remain non-partisan as they prepare for the elections scheduled for November 11, 2023.
In a recent visit to Bayelsa and Imo States on November 2nd and 3rd, 2023, the INEC Chairman, accompanied by Hon. National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), reminded the staff that INEC is not affiliated with any political party and has no candidate in the forthcoming governorship elections.
He stressed that INEC’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the people’s choice and ensure a credible electoral process.
Yakubu said, “INEC is not a political party and does not have a candidate in the November 11 Governorship elections, all we are going to do is to ensure that the people of Bayelsa and Imo States choose whoever they want to be their governors and our responsibility is to protect the people’s choice”.
Yakubu further urged Electoral Officers (EOs) in both states to activate Registration Area Centres (RACs) promptly, ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections.
He also disclosed plans for refresher training on November 10, 2023, to reinforce the commitment to a fair and transparent election.
Continuing his working visit, the INEC Chairman met with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICESS) in both states.
READ ALSO: Imo Guber: “We’ll Not Watch Nigerian Government Use INEC Officials to Rig on Nov 11” – IPOB
The meeting focused on assessing their readiness for the November 11 elections and discussed security measures to protect voters, election personnel, materials, collation centres, and transport providers.
Also, the Hon. Chairman led a joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters to tour some of the Commission’s facilities in Yenagoa Local Government Office.
The objective was to examine the availability of non-sensitive materials in preparation for the off-cycle elections.
Among the notable members of the Chairman’s team were Barr. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Ken Ukeagu, Sam Olumekun, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, Major General Modibo Alkali mni (Rtd), Dr. Baba Bila, as well as Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) Prof. Bolade Eyinla, Special Adviser (SA) Prof. Mohammed J. Kuna, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Rotimi Oyekanmi, and other directors and management staff from the INEC Headquarters.