Despite being months away, there seems to be an air of uncertainty trailing governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, Nigeria, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and how it might affect political primaries. While most political parties have halted preparations ahead of the polls, election umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is determined to stick to its original calendar.
The commission had previously suspended four senatorial bye-elections scheduled to hold in Nigeria; two in Bayelsa state and one each in Imo and Plateau states based on the coronavirus pandemic. This came just as the commission issued a statement, saying, “all regular and non-essential activities will be suspended in its headquarters and offices nationwide for 14 days in the first instance” and that “regular quarterly meetings with stakeholders, namely: political parties, civil society organizations, the media, security agencies, and all other meetings, have been suspended until such a time when normalcy returns.”
Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo state are scheduled for September 19, 2020, and October 10, 2020, according to the commission’s calendar. However, as the primaries for Edo set for June 2 – 27, 2020, and that of Ondo for July 2 – 25, 2020 draw near, questions are being raised about whether or not the commission intends to follow through with its original plan.
Political Parties are not ready
Following the guidelines for a nationwide lockdown laid down by the president, both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC), shut down their secretariats in Abuja and state chapters nationwide and putting a stop to their political activities.
Speaking to Daily Trust about the possibility of an election, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said, “We can’t be talking about elections when the nation is locked down. It’s insensitive.”
Meanwhile, Acting National Secretary of the APC, Chief Victor Giadom explained that the party was yet to fully begin preparations for the polls as no date has been fixed yet for party primaries, “The party is within time so we are preparing to work with the given date. Our date will be in line with the INEC proposed date for the election,” he said.
INEC will not succumb to induced panic
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Festus Okoye, while reacting to the uncertainty surrounding the polls, revealed that “The commission will not call off, postpone or adjust the timeline for the conduct of both elections when it has not issued the statutory notice evidencing commencement of activities and programs for both elections.”
Okoye also expressed hope that the pandemic would be resolved, allowing the commission stick to its February-released Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Edo and Ondo governorship election, “It is our hope, our desire, and prayer that the country will navigate out of the present pandemic before the statutory period prescribed for issuing Notice of Election for both governorship elections.”
This story is part of our new series on Nigeria where we analyse electoral reform in the country ahead of the next general elections in 2023.
