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The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has said there is no longer election season in Nigeria.
Yakubu said this at the first Quarterly Consultative Meeting with Media organizations in Abuja on Thursday.
He also called on the Nigerian media to continue to be a bulwark against fake news and misleading narratives about the Commission and its activities.
He pointed out that on many occasions, the Commission does not believe in censorship because the best antidote to fake news is greater openness and transparency.
The INEC boss appreciated the partnership with the media and reassured that the Commission will continue to work closely with them as he welcomed the media executive reports, commentaries and analyses on elections in particular and electoral activities in general.
“I am glad to note that working together, we have sustained the consultative engagements arising from which important suggestions and recommendations have been made for the improvement of the electoral process in Nigeria,” he said.
“I have said repeatedly that there is no election season in Nigeria any longer. Elections are held regularly and all year round between one general election and another.
“In destructively, even today’s meeting is coming in the middle of increased activities for the forthcoming off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
“This means that we have just six months to the Edo State Governorship election and only eight months before the Ondo State Governorship election. It is therefore appropriate to brief you at this meeting on preparations for the two Governorship elections so far.
“A week later on 31st March 2024, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of the candidates (Form EC9) as required by law” he said.
Prof Yakubu therefore urged the media and the general public, particularly registered voters in Edo State, to scrutinise the bio-data and credentials of the candidates which is the essence of the publication as provided by law.
“Turning to Ondo State, Political Parties will commence their primaries for the Governorship election in the next two weeks.
“At the moment, 17 out of 19 Parties have indicated interest in participating in the election.”
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