INEC Fixes Anambra Guber Poll For Next Year

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has begun preparations for re-run of the governorship election in the state Anambra State despite Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dr. Andy Uba, seeking interpretation of the court’s ruling on the tenure of the state governor, Mr. Governor Peter Obi.

The exercise is scheduled to take place by January next year.
INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Publicity, Mr. Philip Umeadi, said the commission was not oblivious of Uba’s suit at the apex court as well as its implications, but said since there has not been any restraint by any court of law, INEC would continue to gear up for the challenge of organising a credible governorship election in Anambra State next year.

Umeadi, who could not tell ascertain when the election would hold, said “since the tenure of Governor Obi is billed to end sometime in March, we should conduct the elections around January or February next year. But I can tell you that INEC is going ahead with the elections with the situation of things because nothing is stopping it, legally.”

He said expectations on Anambra election next year is high and that INEC would not disappoint the Nigerian people.

Meanwhile, as part of preparations ahead of 2011 general elections in the country, INEC has set fresh minimum qualification standard for its ad-hoc members of staff who would participate in the conduct of the election. And to strengthen its manpower, the commission also said it would have the staff go for refresher course at its special institute, INEC Electoral Institute, for a diploma certificate.

On INEC’s Electoral Institute, Umeadi said though, it is yet to be accredited; it has however churned out its first set of graduates. He said the institute is affiliated to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria.

He noted that the idea of sending members of INEC staff to electoral institute was part of the initiative designed to combat the tricks of the political class adding that the training of staff has already begun but before the process evolves, INEC would have been able to conduct subsequent elections.