Bayelsa wants Nov 2 gov’ship poll shifted

The Bayelsa State Government, yesterday, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to set a new date for the governorship election in the state slated for Nov. 2.

INEC had fixed November 2 this year for the off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states.

Governor Seriake Dickson, represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) who led a delegation to the INEC headquarters in Abuja, said they needed another date for the election.

He pleaded with INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for change of date saying, Nov. 2 clashed with Bayelsa’s yearly thanksgiving service.

He said the programme, which had the backing of the law had been celebrated for the past seven years in the state.

Responding, Prof. Yakubu who acknowledged the request by the Bayelsa delegation said INEC will soon commence the prosecution of electoral offenders whose case files had been prepared by the Nigerian Police.