At a meeting with IPAC members at the Lafia headquarters on Wednesday, NASIEC Chairman, Barrister Ayuba Usman Wandai, made this disclosure.
The three-year term of the currently serving elected local government officials is set to conclude on October 7, 2024, following their election to office on October 6, 2021.
Speaking to IPAC, Barrister Wandai outlined the circumstances that led the Commission to indefinitely postpone its initial plan to hold the 2024 council elections on August 31st, following a court challenge by certain individuals against NASIEC.
“You will recall that the Commission conducted the last Local Government Councils Elections on Wednesday 6th October, 2021 and the present Local Government Councils Officials 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.
“You will also recall that in compliance with Extant Laws, the Commission had earlier issued a Notice of Election for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections on 31st August, 2023 and also fixed Saturday 31st August, 2024 for the conduct of the elections.
“As a law-abiding institution that has continued to promote adherence to Laws, Rules and Regulations governing the conduct of Local Government Councils Elections in Nasarawa State, the Commission decided to postpone indefinitely, all scheduled activities leading to the conduct of the 31st August, 2024 Local Government Councils Elections.
“However, the Commission was served with an Originating Summons by the Federal High Court, Lafia in a matter filed by one Paul A. John, Esq. and 12 Others against the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, challenging Section 8(e) of the Nasarawa State Local Government Election Law, 2018 and Sections 3j, 3k and 9 of the Local Government Councils Elections Guidelines, 2024,” he stated.
Wandai said NASIEC is now ready to hold the council polls after securing victory at the law courts.
“Having had our day in court by emerging victorious, the court dismissed the suit and upheld all our contentions. The plaintiffs, being dissatisfied with the judgement, filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal Makurdi but have suddenly filed a Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of Notice of Appeal on Thursday 26th September, 2024 thus clearing the way for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections,” he said.
In this regards, the Chairman declared that NASIEC has fixed November 2, 2024 as the day the council polls would hold.
“The Commission has after studying and analyzing the judgement of the Federal High Court Lafia decided today 2nd October, 2024 to issue a Notice of Election and slated the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections to hold on 2nd November, 2024,” he added.
Barrister Wandai identified the IPAC as key stakeholder in the local government election, praising the body for demonstrating maturity, exemplified peace and decorum in its affairs thus making the polity conducive for all stakeholders to partake without hindrance in the election process.
Briefing the press shortly afterwards, Barrister Wandai unfolded the election guidelines for the 2024 council polls, stating that both the chairmanship and councillorship elections would hold on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
Aspirants for the positions of chairman and councillor are to deliver their nomination papers at the headquarters of the commission.
According to the NASIEC, timeline for the conduct of the council polls are as follows: Conduct of Party Primaries including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries – Friday 11th October, 2024 – Thursday 17th October, 2024, Commencement of campaign by political parties – Friday 18th October, 2024 for both Chairmanship and Councillorship Elections and Publication of final list of nominated candidates – Tuesday 29th October, 2024.
Based on the laws conferred on him as the Chairman of the commission, Barrister Wandai equally released the guidelines for the 2024 council polls.
He used the opportunity to restate the commitment of the commission to continue to partner with the media in the collective effort to further entrench the democratic process in our dear state.
Wandai also called the people of Nasarawa State to support the commission in the discharge of its statutory mandate by coming out enmasse to participate in the exercise and to conduct themselves lawfully, responsibly and orderly.
Responding, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in the state, Ahmed Musa, appreciated the electoral umpire, maintaining that the IPAC would remain supportive of a transparent and all-inclusive polls.
Also in a vote of thanks, Dahiru Hudu Musa, Secretary of the Commission, appreciated the continous cooperation of all stakeholders at all times when called upon.
