The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC is going to conduct bye-elections in the three states being controlled by the All Progressive Congress, APC slated for today Saturday, February 26, 2022.
Some seats had been declared vacant in state and federal house of assemblies in Ondo, Cross Rivers, and the Imo States.
As of compiling this report, INEC has started deploying sensitive materials to these affected states. However, the current political intrigues within the APC and PDP in the country ahead of 2023 are believed to shape the outcome of the by-elections!
Political pundits have submitted that the contests might cause tension or violence considering the antecedents of the political stakeholders and key players in those states. This is because two states had got into power on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party before becoming APC states.
Ondo State, The state is an APC-controlled administrator under the leadership of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. There is going to be a showdown between the opposition and the ruling party.
Recall that the last governorship election in the state of which Akeredolu won was subsequently challenged up to the Supreme Court by PDP candidate, Jegede. Of course, the ruling had stirred mixed reactions about the legality of the Buni-led committee.Pundits have argued that the subsequent elections might be keenly contested. Also, the recent detection of the former governor Mimiko would boost the influence of the PDP in the bye-election. However, the power of incumbency might give PDP a tough ride.
Imo State:
This state from the southeast has been having both security and political crisis for months. The court judgment that threw out the PDP government a few weeks after its inception and ushered in APC candidate, Hope Uzodinma has been of the factors causing political tension in the state.
Also, it has been so difficult for APC to put its house in order. The immediate past governor, Rochas Okorocha, and incumbent governor have been at the loggerheads with one another over the control of the party.
Lingering insecurity occasioned by unknown gunmen, ESN/ IPOB, and the PDP’s quest to get back to power would shape the bye-election today.
Cross River State:
This is another interesting scenario to watch for on February 26. PDP and APC will of course give a showdown. Ben Ayade, the executive governor of the state had shaken the opposition party last year after leaving the party and joining APC.
Recall that his deputy, some of the state house of assembly members, and cabinet had decamped with him. However, his didn’t go down well with the PDP, and now striving hard to pay him back. This bye-election might be a litmus test before the bigger event, the 2023 elections.
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