JUST IN: INEC releases final list of candidates for Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa gov polls

The Independent National Electoral Commissioner has released the final list of candidates for the November 11 governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states.

The approval of the list followed a meeting held by the commission on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to a statement signed by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, all 18 political parties nominated candidates in Kogi, 17 in Bayelsa, and 16 in Imo states.

Two political parties are also fielding female candidates in Bayelsa State, one in Kogi State, and none in Imo State.

“The final list has been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms. The same will be published in our state and local government offices in the affected states on Thursday, June 8, 2023, ahead of the statutory deadline of June 9, 2023,” the statement added.

Okoye also reacted to last week’s incident in Kogi, saying it involved the convoys of two political actors, resulting in the destruction of vehicles and other properties.

Describing the incident as worrisome, Okoye called on parties and candidates to conduct their political activities with civility and decorum as peaceful electioneering heralds a peaceful election