Osun guber: 48 parties to field candidates – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said out of the 68 existing political parties, 48 have filed nomination forms for the September 22 Osun governorship election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who stated this yesterday at the swearing in of two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), said the commission is currently processing the nomination forms.
“Our preparations for the Osun State governorship election continue in earnest. Nomination of candidates closed yesterday (Tuesday) in line with the timetable and schedule of activities released by the commission in October last year,” Prof. Yakubu stated.
He noted that with the new appointments, INEC now has the full complement of 12 National Commissioners and all but two Resident Electoral Commissioners.
President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier in the day, swore in Mr. Festus Okoye, a human right activist, as INEC National Commissioner.
The two RECs, Garba Attahiru Madami and Ahmed Bello Mahmud, were screened and confirmed by the National Assembly recently.
Yakubu said they were bringing to the commission knowledge and experience that would help in managing the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
He enjoined them to quickly familiarise themselves with the relevant provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) INEC’s plans, guidelines and regulations as well as established processes and procedures.
“Within the confines of the law, I encourage you to be imaginative in responding to the needs of the electorate and adding value to the electoral process. In doing so, always seek for clarification and, where necessary, the approval of the commission,” Prof. Yakubu assured them.
Madami was deployed to Kwara State as REC while Mahmud will take charge of Kebbi State. They were immediately given “practical immersion in the conduct of elections.”
Consequently, Madami was deployed to Kogi State to observe the Lokoja/Kogi-Koto Karfe Federal Constituency bye-election while Mahmud is posted to observe the Katsina South Senatorial bye-election.