Edo Poll: INEC guarantees a smooth election

The upcoming Edo governorship election will go off without a hitch, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the National Chairman of INEC, gave Nigerians assurances that the commission will keep pushing the envelope for credible and inclusive elections while reiterating INEC’s commitment to an open and inclusive electoral process.

Responding to the flood that damaged INEC’s office in Edo State, Yakubu answered questions from reporters during the official induction of ten new Resident Electoral Commissioners, or RECs, in Lagos. He gave Nigerians confidence that the election would go off without a hitch.

“We had an unfortunate flooding in our Edo State office, affecting over 4000 machines, but we recovered over 3500 machines already with the help of our technical staff,” he stated.

“This election appears to be off-cycle. You can be sure that we have enough machines because we will ask neighboring states for more assistance. We will overcome Edo, and you can be sure that we won’t experience any difficulties at all.

He also exhorted the newly inducted RECs to concentrate and become more familiar with the Commission’s policies and procedures.

Mr. Abubakar Dambo of Kebbi State, Mr. Abubakar Ma’aji-Ahmed of Bornu State, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha of Edo State, Mr. Ehimeke Shaka-Isha of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Aminu Idris of Kaduna State, Mr. Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar of Kwara State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola of Ondo State, Dr. Olubunmi Omoseyindemi of Ekiti, Alhaji Shehu Wahab of Nasarawa State, and Sir Etekamba Umoren Delta State are among the ten RECs inducted.