Ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship polls in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over spate of recent court judgments and orders in respect of nomination, substitution or disqualification of candidates. 
   
The commission lamented that most of the orders came after all sensitive materials had been printed. Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who raised the concern at a quarterly meeting with political parties, yesterday, also appealed for peaceful governorship polls. 
   
Yakubu observed that reprinting materials, in compliance with court orders within a short period of time, is expensive and management of the process is challenging.
   
“Although the commission has already published the final list of candidates for the three states, four recent court orders have compelled us to review the list. These changes have been reflected in the updated list of parties and candidates on our website. However, this decision is without prejudice to any pending appeal by the affected candidates or their political parties,” Yakubu stated. 
   
The INEC boss said the commission has delivered all non-sensitive materials to the three states, and that training of various categories of ad hoc staff was ongoing.
  
 He said this is the first time the commission will be conducting three off-cycle governorship elections simultaneously across different geo-political zones.
   
This, according to Yakubu, is made possible by coincidence in the end of tenure of current holders of offices, which he said falls within the constitutional timeframe of not earlier than 150 days or later than 30 days before expiration of their terms, as enshrined in Section 178(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
   
Yakubu disclosed that not all political parties had nominated agents for all polling units and collation centres in the three states. He urged parties to consider submission of the names of agents as important as nomination of candidates for election.
   
This came as the Nigerian Armed Forces said it is ready to ensure a violence-free poll in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa. Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, therefore, warned political actors to desist from acts of violence or face the wrath of the military.    
  
 Musa spoke during a maiden official visit by Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mattawale, to the military high command, yesterday.
   
“We are prepared for the coming elections in the three states of Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa. I want to ensure that the elections will go on democratically, without any fear or intimidation,” Musa said.