The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) has scheduled November 2 for the elections of local government chairmen and councillors in the state. This announcement was made by the commission’s chairman, Ayuba Wandai, during a news conference on Wednesday in Lafia.
Wandai noted that the current tenure of the 13 local government chairmen and 147 councillors will conclude on October 7, after serving for three years. He explained that the commission had initially released a timetable for the election on August 31, but the process was delayed due to a legal challenge against it.
“The Federal High Court in Lafia served us and the Nasarawa State House of Assembly with an originating summons from one Mr. Paul John and 12 others, contesting the local government laws,” Wandai stated. The plaintiffs questioned the commission’s authority to announce election results for the 13 LGAs and 147 electoral wards, as well as its power to set fees for nomination forms and administrative charges.
Fortunately for NASIEC, they won the case, and the plaintiffs have since withdrawn their appeal at the Appeal Court in Makurdi, allowing the commission to proceed with the election.
With the legal matter resolved, Wandai urged candidates from various political parties to commence their campaigns starting Friday, October 18. He specified that political parties interested in presenting candidates should conduct their primaries and resolve any arising disputes between October 11 and October 27.
Wandai assured that NASIEC is committed to conducting a credible election and will provide a level playing field for all political parties. In a recent meeting with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in the state, he reiterated the commission’s dedication to ensuring free, fair, and credible local government elections.
Ahmed Musa, the IPAC state chairman and state secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), commended NASIEC for its resilience and determination to strengthen democracy in Nasarawa State by actively engaging in electoral activities.