INEC clears 19 parties, candidates

• 1.9 million to vote

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the list of candidates cleared in the 19 political parties participating in the September 10 governorship polls in the state.

The Secretary to the Commission Mrs. Augusta C. Ogbakwu disclosed this in a statement in Abuja yesterday.The commission named Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who emerged from the primary conducted by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the recognised candidate for the polls.

However, the commission was silent on Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, who emerged from the Ali Modu-Sheriff faction, whose name had earlier been submitted to it.The list of candidates, their deputies and parties are: Ishaka Paul Ofemile and his deputy Ewemade Nancy Osagie (AA); Andrew Igwemoh and his deputy Osagie Egharevba Andrew (ACD); Cosmos Irabor and his deputy Fredrick Parker Odegua (ACPN); Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and his deputy Philip Shaibu (APC); Onaiwu Osaze Osaro and his deputy Okpebholo Oyemen Gladys (APGA); David Ewanlen Okoror and his deputy, Ekhorotomwen Smile Uyi (CPP)

Others are: Tobi Adeniyi and his deputy Ibolo Julius A. (ID); Thompson Osadolor and his deputy Florence Adaehomen Okundaye (KOWA); Amos Osalumese Areloegbe and his deputy Jane Osagie (LP); Oronsaye Richard and his Deputy Omijie Ehinor ; (MPPP); Peters Osawaru Omoragbon and his deputy Ahmed Haruna (NCP).

Also on the list are: Ukonga Frank and his deputy, Emodogo Dorcas Eweha (NNPP); Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena and his deputy Aiyanyor Efosa Osarobo (PDC); Ize-Iyamu Osagie Andrew and his deputy John Ehibhatoman Yakubu (PDP); Thomas Amanesi Sadoh and his Deputy Onaiwu V. Ogbeide (PPA); Agol Tracy Ebun and his deputy, Osayomore Clement Osazee (PPN).

The list also includes: Omorogieva Gbajumo, whose deputy is Isaac P.E. Ogona (SDP); Adviser Shadrach Nowamagbe Efogie and deputy, Okosun Davies Roseline (UPP); Nurudeen Inwanefero, with Dakpokpo Georgina as deputy (YDP).

Meanwhile, INEC yesterday said that a total of 1, 925, 105 registered voters would be eligible to vote at the September 10 polls.The commission also said ‎that the exercise would hold at the 2, 627 polling units across the 192 wards in the 18 local council areas that make up the state. ‎

Director, Data Management, the Information Communications Technology (ICT) Headquarters Abuja, Chidi Okafor, disclosed this at the official presentation of the voters’ register and workshop on campaign finance tracking workshop in Benin City.

The Assistant Director, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, who represented Okafor, explained that 135, 877 voters were recorded during the five-day continuous voters registration (CVR) in the state.She said 2, 036 people out of the number engaged in double thumbprints, which deleted their names from the register.

The INEC National Commissioner (South-South zone) Dr. Muhammedu Mustafa Lecky said the exercise was a milestone in the e-collective countdown to the polls and in line with section 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

The Act requires the commission to publish an updated voters register not later than 30 days before the election as well the time table for the conduct of the governorship election.

He added that the efforts the commission had put into the voters register was an indication of its resolve to ensure that “government should only derive from the will of the people as expressed through the ballot. Most importantly, it is indeed a demonstration of our determination to deliver a transparent, free, fair and credible governorship election in the state.”