No fewer than 267 candidates from 25 political parties are vying for elective positions in the April elections in Abia State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Austin Okojie, told a consultative meeting with stakeholders that 15 candidates would contest the governorship election while 12 others have been cleared for the deputy governorship seat. The REC said that 162 candidates from 15 of the 25 political parties were cleared for the state House of Assembly. He advised the candidates and their parties to verify the list and report any anomalies to the commission. Mr Okojie said INEC experienced many challenges and apprehensions during the registration exercise. “Political parties are expected to impress upon their supporters that election is just a game and not a do-or-die matter,” he remarked. Mr Okojie said that the provisions of the Electoral Act were clear, noting that it prohibited and sanctioned the use of masquerades, quasi-military organisations and offensive weapons and sirens during and after elections.
