The Edo State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday pasted the particulars of party candidates and their running mates ahead the governorship election on September 21.
The particulars were displayed at the INEC office in Aduwawa in Benin, and at all 18 local government offices in the state.
At the Oredo Local Government Secretariat, the list was displayed on the notice board.
The state INEC head of voters education and publicity, Timidi Wariowei, said that the pasting of the particulars is in line with the electoral law, noting that parties, public can now view the particulars of the candidates and their running mate.
He said, “In Compliance to the law, today, being the 30th of March, 2024, the INEC Edo State Office and the I8 local government area offices have pasted form EC9 which is personal particulars of the 17 candidates and their deputies. The form also includes the credentials of the candidates.
“We have done this in line with the electoral law and the public and parties can go to all the local government offices to check the list,” he said.
It is recalled that the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a letter dated Wednesday 27th March 2024, had informed the Edo INEC to display the particulars.
The letter reads, “Following the conclusion of party primaries, seventeen (17) Political Parties have uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms for the Edo State Governorship Election by the deadline of 6.00pm on 24th March 2024 when the dedicated portal automatically shut down.
“The personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates will be published on Saturday 30th March 2024, a week from the last date for the submission of nominations as provided in Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
“The commission shall publish the personal particulars by displaying copies of Form EC9 along with all academic credentials and other documents submitted by each candidate at the State Headquaters and the 18 Local Government offices across Edo State.
“We appeal to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents. Any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by the candidate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.
In the displayed list, Uwaifo Osaro is the governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) while Aigbede Odion is listed at the deputy. Social Democratic Party (SDP), has Anerua Abdullai Aliu as the candidate, Ahmedu Paul is listed as the deputy.
Other are New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Azena Azemhe Friday (governorship candidate) and Alokha Sunday Omohkekhai (deputy), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Osifo Isiah (governorship candidate) and Agunu Anthony (deputy), All People Movement (APM) Ugiagbe Odaro (governorship candidate) and Sylvester Ezomo Timothy (deputy), All People Party (APP) Areleogbe Amos Osalumese (governorship candidate) and Oyarenua Paul Anwaosi (deputy), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Akhime kingson Afere (governorship candidate) and Obazee Ramatu (deputy).
For the African Action Congress (AAC) Udoh Oberaiafo is the governorship candidate, while Lawal Abdulhafiz is the deputy. Others are Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena.(Governorship candidate) and Idubo Joyce Olamilayo (deputy), Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Ighodalo Asuerinme (governorship candidate), Osarodion Ogie (deputy), Boot party (BP) Osirame Edeipo (governorship candidate) and Okhaide Rotimi Festus (deputy), African Democratic Congress (ADC) Obazele Paul Agbone (governorship candidate), Frank Ilaboya (deputy), Labour Party (LP) Olumide Akpata Anthony (governorship candidate) and Alufohai Oluyinka Faith (deputy), All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo Monday governorship candidate and Dennis Idahosa deputy), People Redemption Party (PRP).
