INEC: We may summon political parties over violence in Edo rallies

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it may summon political parties and their candidates in the Edo governorship election over the violent rallies on the state.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, said this on Wednesday when he led a delegation from the commission to meet with stakeholders in Nasarawa central ahead of the state constituency by-election.

In Edo where the governorship election is scheduled for September 19, rallies held by some political parties have been marred by violence.

Yakubu said the commission will meet on Thursday to discuss developments on the Edo election after which it may hold an urgent meeting with the political parties.

“We are carefully monitoring what is happening in Edo state and also in Ondo,” he said.

“The commission will be meeting tomorrow and given the urgency of the situation in Edo state, we may have to immediately call a meeting of not just the candidates and the political parties but also the campaign councils — whatever we have to do to stem the ugly report of violence so far.”

He also said INEC has resolved that wherever election is disrupted, “we will simply withdraw; let the thugs conclude the process and declare their winner.”

Yakubu, who inspected election materials at the INEC office in Nasarawa, said the commission has delivered all that is required for the Nasarawa central constituency by-election holding on Saturday.

“We have delivered all the non-sensitive materials for the Nasarawa central election. The sensitive materials arrived a few days ago and are at the Central Bank of Nigeria in Lafia,” he said.

“My overall assessment is that we are good to go in Nasarawa state. It is an important election for us because this is the first election in Nigeria in the context of COVID-19 and we deliberately chose to start with Nasarawa central by-election so that we can learn the vital lessons we need to learn ahead of Edo and Ondo governorship elections, as well as 15 outstanding by-elections including six senatorial districts.

“So, on the whole, I am satisfied and reassured. So we look forward to a good election on Saturday.”