Yobe postpones LG poll to May 2024

The Yobe state Independent Electoral Commission (YSIEC) has postponed the state LG councils election from November to May 25, 2024.

Mamman Mohammed, chairman of the commission, announced the development at a news conference in Damaturu, the state capital, on Wednesday.

Mohammed did not give reasons for shifting the poll to next year.

“Governor Mai Mala Buni has graciously given the approval to the state Independent Electoral Commission to adjust the date of the election for the 17 chairmen and 178 councilors of local government councils in Yobe to May 25,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“This is in consonance to the provision of section 197 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.”

Mohammed said the commission has budgeted N500 million for the conduct of the election.

He said all qualified aspirants across registered political parties are free to contest.

He added that the parties would be issued with election guidelines to enable them to present “reputable and qualified” candidates.

“All Yobe people are allowed to contest for the councillorship and chairmanship after attaining the age of 25 and 30 without gender bias, sane not corrupt, and resident in the community,” he said.

“Candidates must also possess the minimum educational qualification of secondary school certificate or its equivalence, and must undergo security screening, with a fee of N300,000, N250,000 and N200,000 for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councilors aspirants.”

The chairman called on the media to give adequate publicity to the election and urged security agencies to ensure that all polling units were well protected.