I don’t want to be remembered for my many fights — Obaseki

By Tony Akowe, Abuja

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Wednesday, May 15, declared vacant the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa state vacated by Hon Isa Dogonyaro who died on Friday in Abuja after a brief illness.

He also announced existing vacancies in three state constituencies across the country occasioned by the death or resignation of the members.

The state constituencies are the Khana 2 State Constituency of Rivers state, the Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency of Kano State, and the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State.

Speaking at a quarterly consultative meeting with the media executive, Prof. Yakubu said as soon as preparations are concluded, the commission will announce the dates for bye-elections in the affected constituencies.

He also said that the commission would soon make a public statement on the status of elected Chairmen and councilors of the six Area Councils in Abuja.

Some people have argued that the tenure of the councils was supposed to have expired insisting that the commission empowered by law to conduct the council elections should begin preparation in earnest.

Prof Yakubu also said that the Commission was remobilising to conclude the outstanding re-run elections in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State and Ghari (formerly known as Kunchi Local Government Area) for the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.

 He disclosed that the February 3 rerun elections in Enugu and Kano states were disrupted by violence and thuggery, leading to the suspension of the election by the commission.

He appealed to the media to assist the commission in mobilising Nigerians, especially residents of Edo and Ondo states participate in the continuous Voter registration exercise in the two states ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in both states.

He also asked media organisations to submit applications for accreditation to report on the election in earnest along with the required documentation for individual journalists and support staff.

He said: “Doing so will enable the Commission to produce and deliver the identity cards for journalists covering the election in good time. The Commission will not entertain requests outside the deadline for the receipt of applications from interested media organisations or process requests that do not meet the criteria for accreditation.” (nation)