Rabiu Omaku
The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed a date for the conduct of the Local Government election.
The Chairman of NASIEC, Bar.Ayuba Wandai Usman gave the disclosure during a press briefing held at Democracy House shortly after a meeting with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), at the headquarters of the commission.
Barrister Wandai said this has become necessary because the tenure of the present crop of elected Local Government officials, would expire by Monday, 7th October, 2024, having spent three years in office as provided by the extant laws governing the activities of the commission.
The chairman said the meeting with IPAC, was the first in the series of meetings to be held by the commission, because as key stakeholders, IPAC has demonstrated maturity and decorum in its affairs, thereby making Nasarawa State conceive for all stakeholders partake without hindrance, in the election process.
He added that IPAC’s continued belief in the ability of the commission to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, has continued to challenge NASIEC to redouble its efforts in ensuring that it puts in place credible and tested strategies in election management that will ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible election.
Accordingly, Barrister Wandai said NASIEC is issuing an election notice commencing on Thursday, 31st August, copies of which would be pasted across all the 3256 polling units of the state.
“As you are aware, the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission is a law-abiding institution that has continued to promote adherence to laws, rules, and regulations governing the conduct of local government elections in Nasarawa State.
“You will recall that the Commission conducted the last Local Government Councils Elections on Wednesday 6th October 2021 and the present executives were sworn-in and inaugurated on Friday 8th October 2021 for a tenure of three (3) years which will end on Monday 7th October 2024.
“Based on the Extant Laws, the Commission has issued a Notice of Election for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Election today being 31st August, 2023.
“The Commission has based on the powers conferred on it, fixed Saturday 31st August, 2024 for the conduct of the election.
Present at the meeting are the Secretary of the commission, Dahiru Hudu Musa, Mohammed Aliyu Gayam, Commissioner of Works and Transport, Samuel Jacob Tsebe, Commissioner of Public Affairs and ICT, Usman Ibrahim Galle, Commissioner of Legal Services and NGOs, Abubakar Bala Yarima, Commissioner Human Resources and Management Service, and Ishaq Muhammad Baba, Commissioner Electoral Operations, as well as seven directors of the commission.
Also present were 11 members of the IPAC from the state, led by its Chairman, Hon. Cletus Oga, who doubles as the State Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
