The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made public the definitive list of contenders for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State, scheduled for September 21.
The announcement was made by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, who confirmed that seventeen political parties have put forward candidates for the election, with a single female candidate among sixteen males.
According to the commission, two political parties, Action Alliance (AA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), have conducted new primaries and replaced their original candidates for governor and deputy governor. Furthermore, four other parties, namely the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have replaced the running mates of their candidates.
The commission’s statement reads, “We are delighted to announce the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election. Following the initial primaries, we published the personal details of the Governorship candidates and their running mates in our State and Local Government offices in Edo State.
“In accordance with Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, some political parties conducted fresh primaries to replace their previously nominated candidates by the deadline of April 15, 2024. The Action Alliance (AA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) replaced their Governorship candidates and their running mates. Additionally, the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) replaced the running mates of their candidates only.
“In total, 17 political parties are fielding candidates in the election. Sixteen are male, while one is female.
“The final list, which also provides a 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 also declared that political campaigns will commence on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, and conclude on September 19, 2024.
He declared: “Electioneering campaigns will commence following the release of the final list of candidates for the Edo State governorship.”
“As stipulated 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 prior to that day.
“As a result, as stated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, political parties may now begin their public campaigning on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, and conclude it at midnight on Thursday, September 19, 2024.”
All candidates, agents, and supporters received a strong reminder from INEC to conduct their campaigns politely and in compliance with the law.
The commission underscored the significance of abstaining from inciting language, violence, and voter inducement, as well as sections 92 through 97 of the Electoral Act 2022.
Olumekun issued a warning: “The commission reminds candidates, their agents, and their supporters of the law’s provisions and the commission’s guidelines governing such activity as parties begin this crucial phase of the election.
“Parties are required to conduct their campaigns with decorum and civility, refraining from using inciting language, inciting violence, luring voters with false information, and other infractions listed in Sections 92–97 of the Electoral Act 2022.”
The final list of governorship candidates and their running mates include; Accord (Iyere Kennedy and Enabulele Bright); Action Alliance (Iseghohi Tom and Onaiwu Nmwen); African Action Congress (Udoh David and Osunde Osas); African Democratic Congress (Izedonmwen Derek and Osagie Philip); Action Democratic Party (Akhimie Kingson and Obazee Ramatu)
Others include; All Progressives Congress (Okpebholo Monday and Idahosa Dennis); All Progressives Grand Alliance (Osifo Isaiah and Bello Aneru); Allied Peoples Party (Ugiagbe Sylvester and Εzomo Ede); Action Peoples Party (Areloegbe Osalumese and Oyarenua Paul); Boot Party, (Osiriame Edeipo and Omorogbe Kingsley); Labour Party (Akpata Anthony and Alufohai Faith); New Nigeria People’s Party (Azena Friday and Isokpan Ihueghian); Peoples Democratic Party (Ighodalo Asuerinme and Ogie Osarodion); Peoples Redemption Party (Key Ndidi and Ojo Advice); Social Democratic Party (Anerua Aliu and Amedu Paul); Young Progressives Party (Okungbowa Ovbokhan and Mustapha Tijani) and Zenith Labour Party (Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena and Idubor Olamilayo).
