Juliet Buna
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday fixed dates for the governorship election in Ondo and Edo States respectively.
The tenures of the incumbent governors in both states will lapse next year.
A statement by the National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee National Commissioner Sam Olumekun said the Governorship election of Edo State will be held on Saturday 21st September 2024 and the Ondo State governorship will be held on Saturday 16th November 2024.
The statement added that it is in line with Section 178(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
The statement reads, “The tenure of the Governors of Edo and Ondo States will end on 11th November 2024 and 23rd February 2025 respectively.
“As provided in Section 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), election into the said offices shall be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of` the last holder of the office. The latest date for Election to the office of Governor, in Edo State, is 12th October 2024 while that of Ondo State is 24th January 2025.
“Similarly, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 requires the Commission to publish Notice for the Election not later than 360 days before the date of the election.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, the Commission issues the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Edo and Ondo State Governorship elections as follows:
“The Governorship election will be held on Saturday 21st September 2024.
“Party primaries will be held from 1st – 24th February 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9.00 a.m. on 4th March 2024 and close at 6.00 p.m. on 24th March 2024.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 23rd April 2024 while the campaign in public by political parties commences on 24th April 2024 and ends 24 hours before election day on 19th September 2024.
“The Governorship election will be held on Saturday 16th November 2024.
“Party primaries will be held from 6th – 27th April 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9.00 a.m. on 29th April 2024 and close at 6.00 p.m. on 20th May 2024.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 18th June 2024 while campaign in public by political parties commences on 19th June 2024 and ends 24 hours before election day on 14th November 2024.
“The detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the two elections have been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms.
“By this ample notice as required by both the Constitution and the Electoral Act, the Commission appeals to political parties and candidates to note the activities in the Timetable for strict compliance.”
