INEC SHIFTS ADAMAWA GUBER, SOBA CONSTITUENCY POLLS

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the Adamawa governorship election scheduled to hold this Saturday January 21. It is now slated for February 4.

Similarly, the commission announced the postponement of the bye-election into the Soba Federal Constituency, Kaduna.

A statement signed by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega hinged the postponement of the two elections on the prevailing situation in the two states.

This is the second time the electoral body would shift the date of Adamawa governorship election. Although the commission did not explained the situation that led to the two postponements, it might not be unconnected with the security challenges currently being experienced by the states.

Recently, suspected Boko Haram sect killed 22 people during a community meeting at Mubi, Adamawa.

The statement read: 'Due to the prevailing situations in Adamawa and Kaduna States, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has, by the powers conferred on it in Section 26 (i) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, postponed the scheduled elections in the two states.

'These elections are the governorship election in Adamawa State and the bye-election into Soba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State. The two elections will now hold on the 4th February.'

The electoral body explained that the decision to postpone these elections was arrived at, after due consultations with relevant stakeholders.

It stressed: 'The Commission does not wish to hold any election under an atmosphere of insecurity, emergency or curfew. Therefore it calls on all stakeholders to conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure peaceful and violence-free atmosphere for the elections.

'INEC hereby restates its determination to conduct, free, fair and credible elections in these two states and urges all and sundry to join hands with it in achieving this noble cause.

'The Commission also calls on security agencies to ensure a conducive environment for the smooth conduct of these elections.'