By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
President Bola Tinubu has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the February 21 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections and by-elections in Rivers and Kano states to inspire confidence in voters regarding the electoral process.
Tinubu gave the charge in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday, February 20, and signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
INEC has scheduled elections in the six area councils of the FCT, as well as by-elections in the Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies of Rivers State, and in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.
Tinubu challenged INEC “to take all necessary measures to bolster voters’ confidence by ensuring timely accreditation, smooth voting processes, accurate collation, and prompt transmission of results, in line with the 2026 Electoral Act.”
The president also appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to shun violence, inflammatory statements, and actions that could undermine the credibility of the process.
Tinubu further urged all eligible voters to come out and vote without fear.
He cautioned against any form of high-handedness, intimidation, or actions that could disenfranchise voters or erode public trust, stressing that security personnel are present to protect lives, property, and the sanctity of the ballot.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received and inspected sensitive materials for the bye-elections in two constituencies in Rivers State scheduled for February 21.
The inspection was led by the INEC National Commissioner supervising the South-South states, Professor Rhoda Gumus, alongside the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Abayomi Salimi, and an INEC National Commissioner from Abia State, Chukwuemeka Ibeziaku, at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Port Harcourt on Friday, February 20.
Also participating in the inspection of the sensitive materials were party agents and an executive of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
While speaking with journalists and party agents, the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Gabriel Yomere, explained that the exercise was important to ensure that the materials are intact before being dispatched to their respective locations.
Also, the Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the state, Benjamin Ogbobula, expressed satisfaction with the inspection.
Ogbobula said, “I’m very satisfied. The materials were opened, and you can see that they are signing them for transparency.
“I inspected the materials for all six wards of Ahoada East Constituency II and the eight wards of Khana.
“What we have seen here is correct. I don’t know what will happen later, but for now, what we are seeing is proper. They are taking them to various areas.”
