The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the dates for the off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
It also released the timetable of activities leading to the elections.
The Edo State governorship election has been scheduled to be held on 21 September 2024, while that of Ondo State will be held on Saturday 16 November 2024, according to a statement by the commission’s spokesman, Mr. Sam Olumekun.
“The tenure of the Governors of Edo and Ondo States will end on 11th November 2024 and 23rd February 2025 respectively,” the statement noted.
According to the statement: “As provided in Section 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), election into the said offices shall hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of` the last holder of the office. The latest date for Election to the office of Governor, Edo State, is 12th October 2024 while that of Ondo State is 24th January 2025.”
The two states, alongside Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo, are among the eight Nigerian states whose governorship elections are held outside the cycle of the general elections due to the outcomes of previous litigations.
The others are Anambra, Osun, and Ekiti states.
Meanwhile, INEC has scheduled the governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo for 11 November.
Timetable for elections
The commission has also published the timetable for activities leading to the governorship elections to be held in both states as required by Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
According to the statement, the Edo State primaries will be held from 1 to 24 February 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates through the online portal will start on 4 March 2024 and close on 24 March 2024.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 23rd April 2024 while campaign in public by political parties commences on 24th April 2024 and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 19th September 2024,” the statement stated.
Meanwhile, in Ondo State, the party primaries are to be held from 6 to 27 April 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates through the online portal will start on 29 April 2024 and close on 20 May 2024.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 18th June 2024 while campaign in public by political parties commences on 19th June 2024 and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 14th November 2024,” it added.
Governors Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State are in their last and final term.
Following is the full statement titled “Timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo and Ondo States governorship elections” and signed by Olumekun who is a National Commissioner and Chairman of the commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee:
“The tenure of the Governors of Edo and Ondo States will end on 11th November 2024 and 23rd February 2025 respectively.
As provided in Section 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), election into the said offices shall hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of` the last holder of the office. The latest date for Election to the office of Governor, Edo State, is 12th October 2024 while that of Ondo State is 24th January 2025.
Similarly, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 requires the Commission to publish Notice for the Election not later than 360 days before the date of the election.
In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, the Commission issues the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Edo and Ondo State Governorship elections as follows:
EDO STATE
The Governorship election will hold on Saturday 21st September 2024.
Party primaries will hold from 1st – 24th February 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9.00am on 4th March 2024 and close at 6.00pm on 24th March 2024.
The final list of candidates will be published on 23rd April 2024 while campaign in public by political parties commences on 24th April 2024 and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 19th September 2024.
ONDO STATE
The Governorship election will hold on Saturday 16th November 2024.
Party primaries will hold from 6th – 27th April 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9.00am on 29th April 2024 and close at 6.00pm on 20th May 2024.
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The final list of candidates will be published on 18th June 2024 while campaign in public by political parties commences on 19th June 2024 and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 14th November 2024.
DETAILED TIMETABLE
The detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the two elections have been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms.
By this ample notice as required by both the Constitution and the Electoral Act, the Commission appeals to political parties and candidates to note the activities in the Timetable for strict compliance.”
