Breaking News: Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa Governorship Election To Hold 11th November, 2023 – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has slated the 11th of November, 2023 for the Conduct of Governorship elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States.

The tenure of the Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State ends on the 14th of January, 2024 while Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State ends on the 26th of January, 2024. The tenure of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State ends on the 13th of February 2024.

The electoral umpire approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the respective states, Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states’ governorship elections on Tuesday, 25th of October, 2022.

The National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education Committee Chairman, Barr. Festus Okoye, said the full timetable and schedule of activities has been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms.

Okoye said: “This decision is in fulfilment of the requirement of Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the commission to publish the notice of election not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the elections.

“Similarly, Sections 178(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 mandates the commission to conduct such elections not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of the last holder of the office.

“The statutory notice for the elections will be published in the three states on the 14th of November, 2022. Party primaries will be held from 27th of March to 17th of April, 2023. While the online portal for the submission of nomination forms (EC9 and EC9B) by political parties opens at 9.00am on the 24th of April, 2023 and closes at 6.00pm on the 5th of May, 2023.

The final list of candidates will be published on the 9th of June, 2023 while campaigns by political parties commences on the 14th of June, 2023 and ends at midnight on the 9th of November, 2023.