The Independent National Electoral Commission has said forty eight candidates will participate in the Osun State governorship election scheduled for September 22, 2018.
The Punch reported that Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said this at the swearing-in of two new resident electoral commissioners in Abuja on Wednesday.
Yakubu said, “Our preparations for the Osun State governorship election continue in earnest. Nomination of candidates closed on Tuesday in line with the timetable and schedule of activities released by the commission in October last year.
“A record number of 48 political parties have nominated candidates for the election. The commission is currently processing the nomination forms.”
Prof Yakubu, while congratulating the two newly inaugurated RECs, Garba Madami and Ahmad Mahmud, urged them to maintain high ethical standards at all times.
He said, “Each one of you brings to the commission your knowledge and experience that will help in managing the enormous responsibilities of conducting free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
“Ahmad Mahmud is a lawyer with several years of private legal practice and public service while Garba Madami is a retired public servant and lecturer. With only 205 days to the 2019 general elections, you must quickly settle down to work.”
The commission announced the posting of Madami to Kwara as the new REC and named Mahmud as the new Kebbi State REC.
The INEC boss also announced August 11 as the date for four by-elections in Katsina, Bauchi, Cross River and Taraba states.
He said, “Only last week, the commission released the timetable and schedule of activities for six by-elections following the declaration of vacancies by the National Assembly and the Cross River State House of Assembly.
“We have already fixed August 11, 2018 for the by-elections. Since then, we have received additional declaration of vacancies from the Rivers State House of Assembly in respect of Port Harcourt III State Constituency and the Taraba State House of Assembly for Takum I State constituency.”
