STAKEHOLDERS PRESENT DIVERGENT VIEWS ON SCHEDULING ISIUZO BYE-ELECTION

Reporter : CHINELO PHIL-OPARA

The Media and Civil Society Organisations are urged to keep hope alive in the Nigerian project to douse accumulated tension and pave way for the rescheduling of the postponed bye elections.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Enugu State, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu gave the charge in Enugu during a consultative meeting to get their inputs on when to fix the bye election for Isi-Uzo State Constituency.

Dr. Ononamadu said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was consulting widely with all interest groups and had met with security agencies, Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC).

He said they would still meet with traditional rulers and Presidents-General, especially from Isiuzo, noting that all the inputs got would be put into consideration in taking decision for a new date.

Dr. Ononamadu reminded media organisations and civil society groups that they had great roles to play to check apathy and any form of electoral malpractices.

The INEC Commissioner, however, assured them that the decision of the Commission would reflect all the views gathered, noting that the same consultation was going simultaneously in the eleven States that have vacant seats for by-elections.

During the meeting, Radio Nigeria observed that the participants presented divergent views while suggesting the best time for the rescheduling of the by-election for Isiuzo.

The by-election, which would have been held on October 31, 2020 was postponed because of the uncertainties and tension experienced in the country, resulting from the #EndSARS protests.