NAN-H-52
Candidates
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Nov. 30, 2016 (NAN) Mr Olugbenga Owolabi,the candidate of African Democratic (AD), in the Saturday by-election in Ifako/Ijaye Federal constituency, Lagos state, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain impartial.
He gave in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos on Wednesday.
“All I want from INEC is for it to be unbiased and an impartial judge.
‘’It should ensure strict monitoring of the election and ensure that those who registered for the election are those that will vote.
“The commission should do everything humanly possible to see that things are done rightly and maintain fairness in its dealings.
“We all know that presently, we have the APC at the helm but that should not make the election to be one sided,’’ Owolabi said.
He also urged the commission to consider the volatility of the state and the constituency and conduct a transparent poll to ensure peace.
Another contestant, Mr Yusuf Fatai, of the Action Alliance also urged INEC to remain honest.
He said, ‘’only honesty can bring about a peaceful, free, transparent and credible election.
“For INEC to achieve this, everything has to be on ground and in order; the card readers must be functioning.
Effort should be made to check them properly to avoid what happened in Ondo state governorship election happening in Lagos.
“However, in the event that they malfunction, INEC should quickly fall back on the voter’s register and ensure that only those who registered are allowed to cast their votes,’’ Fatai said.
NAN reports that parties fielding candidates for the election are: Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The election is due to the death of Mr Adewale Oluwatayo, (APC Ifako/Ijaye), House of Representatives, who slumped and died on July 21 in his Abuja residence. (NAN)
LED/FF/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed
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