The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed a date for the conduct of a fresh election for Kogi West senatorial seat at the Senate.
This is sequel to the decision of the Court of Appeal which nullified the election that produced Dino Melaye as winner of the February 23 exercise.
The ruling is in favour of his opponent, Smart Adeyemi, who won at both the tribunal and the appellate court.
Announcing the date is Festus Okoye, the INEC Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, who said the fresh election will be conducted on November 16, the same day the state’s governorship election is taking place.
“The commission has also fixed November 16, 2019, for the conduct of a fresh election in the Kogi West senatorial district. The election will take place simultaneously with the Kogi governorship election,” the statement read.
“This is a sequel to the nullification of the Kogi West senatorial district election conducted on February 23, 2019, by the Election Petitions Tribunal and its subsequent affirmation by the Court of Appeal which ordered the commission to conduct a fresh election within 90 days from the date of judgment October 11, 2019 with all those who participated in it as eligible candidates.
“We appeal to the candidates and political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns. We also enjoin stakeholders to eschew violence and avoid acts capable of creating apprehension or a sense of fear before, during and after the elections,” it added.
