The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, addressed the media during the first Quarterly Consultative Meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
He stated that Nigeria is no longer in an election season and called on the Nigerian media to continue to help combat fake news and misleading narratives about the Commission and its activities.
He also emphasized that the Commission does not believe in censorship, as greater openness and transparency are the best ways to counteract fake news.
Professor Yakubu expressed his appreciation for the partnership with the media and assured them that the Commission will continue to work closely with them.
He welcomed their reports, commentaries, and analyses on elections, as well as electoral activities in general.
“I am glad to note that working together, we have sustained the consultative engagements arising from which important suggestions and recommendations have been made for the improvement of the electoral process in Nigeria,” he said.
“I have said repeatedly that there is no election season in Nigeria any longer. Elections are held regularly and all year round between one general election and another.
“In destructively, even today’s meeting is coming in the middle of increased activities for the forthcoming off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
“This means that we have just six months to the Edo State Governorship election and only eight months before the Ondo State Governorship election. It is therefore appropriate to brief you at this meeting on preparations for the two Governorship elections so far.
“A week later on 31st March 2024, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of the candidates (Form EC9) as required by law” he said.
Prof Yakubu therefore urged the media and the general public, particularly registered voters in Edo State, to scrutinise the bio-data and credentials of the candidates which is the essence of the publication as provided by law.
“Turning to Ondo State, Political Parties will commence their primaries for the Governorship election in the next two weeks.
“At the moment, 17 out of 19 Parties have indicated interest in participating in the election.”
, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, addressed the media during the first Quarterly Consultative){kind=link}