Following the death of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Kwanate, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted election in Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency of Adamawa state.
Okay Nigeria understands that Kwanate was member representing Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency (Mayo Belwa LGA) in the Adamawa State House of Assembly.
INEC has now scheduled the election for 23rd March 2019.
The electoral body in a statement signed by Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, said the shifting of election date was done in line with Section 36 (1) of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended will however not affect polls in other areas of the state.
INEC also confirmed the fire incident which occurred in Akwa-Ibom state.
The statement reads, “the Commission has been informed of the death of Hon. Adamu Kwanate, who until his death was the member representing Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency (Mayo Belwa LGA) in the Adamawa State House of Assembly. He was also the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the same Constituency in the election scheduled for Saturday 9th March, 2019.
“Consequently, INEC is compelled to countermand the Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency election for tomorrow and the same has been rescheduled to Saturday 23rd March, 2019 in line with Section 36(1) of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended. The Governorship election in the constituency and all other state constituencies elections will however proceed as scheduled tomorrow.”
However, speaking the fire incident in their Akwa Ibom Office, INEC state:
“wishes to inform the public with regret of yet another fire incident. This time its office in lbesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa lbom State which occurred in the early hours of today, Friday. 8th March 2019.
“While we do not at this point know the cause of the fire, a report has been made to the law enforcement agencies and the Fire Service. We are liaising closely with both agencies to investigate and ascertain the cause of the fire and if found to be a deliberate act, we will ensure diligent and vigorous prosecution of those responsible.
“Several sensitive and non-sensitive materials for tomorrow‘s Governorship and State House of Assembly elections were destroyed including 198 Smart Card Readers, the printed Register of Voters, 13 Generators as well as several Voting Cubicles and office equipment.
“Fortunately, the ballot papers and results for the elections were not affected and are intact. Acting timely, the Commission has been able to replace and reconfigure all the destroyed Smart Card Readers and reprinted the Register of Voters. With the replacement and the salvage of other items, we are pleased to announce that the election will proceed as scheduled. All registered voters in the Local Government Area are therefore requested to turn up to cast their votes between 8am and 2pm tomorrow. “
