News
INEC, Political Parties Gear Up For August 16 By-election
The Independent National Electoral Commission announced the August 16 date to fill vacant seats at the National Assembly and the state Houses of Assembly.
By-elections are to be held in districts including Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial districts; Ovia South West/Ovia South East in Edo, Babura/Garki in Jigawa, Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna, Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North in Ogun and Ibadan North federal constituencies.
In Edo, the All Progressives Congress and Labour Party ramped up their campaigns in the Ovia Federal Constituency and Edo Central Senatorial District.
In Ovia, Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, projected a near-total victory for the APC, promising 98 per cent of the votes for the party’s candidate, Omosede Igbinedion.
Idahosa, who vacated the seat to become deputy governor, cited the APC’s development strides under Governor Monday Okpebholo and Igbinedion’s local appeal as the party’s ticket to victory.
Meanwhile, in Uromi, LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, flagged off the party’s senatorial campaign, urging Edo Central voters to rally behind Paul Okojie.
He described Okojie as the youthful, vibrant voice Edo Central needed in the Senate, adding that the district had been “underrepresented for too long.”
Both candidates pledged to focus on development if elected, while accusing rivals of chasing power for personal gain.
In Oyo, Governor Seyi Makinde called on residents of Ibadan North Local Government to come out en masse and vote for the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the by-election, Folajimi Oyekunle.
The governor made the call on Monday during the official flag-off of the PDP campaign and the presentation of the flag to the candidate at the Bodija International Market, Ibadan.
Makinde, while appreciating the people for their support since the inception of his administration, said victory in the August 16 by-election would be proof that Oyo State belonged to the PDP and that the people recognised and appreciated good governance.
He described Oyekunle as the right candidate for Ibadan North Federal Constituency, as, according to him, his experience as a former member of the House of Assembly and his contributions to the success of the government, having served as Deputy Chief of Staff, would combine to give the constituency the expected good representation.
“Let me tell you that this forthcoming election is very important, because we all need to prove a point that Oyo State is a PDP state.
