Twelve candidates are scheduled to contest the Lagos East Senatorial bye-election slated for October 31, 2020
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) spokesman in Lagos State, Mr Femi Akinbiyi, gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.
He also explained that eight candidates would be contesting for Kosofe Constituency II, Lagos State House of Assembly bye-election.
Akinbiyi said: “In accordance with Section 31 Subsection 3 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), the commission in Lagos State has published the list of nominated candidates for Lagos East Senatorial bye-election in the five local government areas that constitute the senatorial district.
“We have also published the list of nominated candidates for the Lagos House of Assembly Kosofe Constituency II bye-election in the six registration areas (wards) that constitute the state constituency.
“Twelve candidates of 12 political parties are vying for the Lagos East Senatorial seat, while eight parties are fielding candidates for the Kosofe Constituency II, Lagos Assembly bye-election.
” The local government areas in the senatorial district are Somolu, Ikorodu, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe and Kosofe,” Akinbiyi said.
According to him, the list has been published in all the affected local governments and registration areas (wards) since Sept. 17, being the last day for the publication of nominated candidates for the two bye-elections.
Meanwhile, the final list signed by Mrs Bose Oriaran-Anthony, the Lagos East Senatorial District contestants include: Mr Muyiwa Adebanjo of Action Alliance (AA), Ms Mercy Adeoye of African Action Congress (AAC) and Mr John Kome of African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The others are: Mr Adebowale Ogunlaru of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mr Adetokunbo Abiru, All Progressive Congress (APC); Mr Olusola Babatope, Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Mrs Florence Trautman, Labour Party (LP) and Ms Adijat Lawal, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The rest are Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Mr Olakunle Adisa, National Rescue Movement (NRM); Mr Saheed Aluko, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Mr Taiwo Temitope, Young Progressive Party (YPP).
For the Kosofe Constituency II bye-election, the eight contestants are Messrs John Akerele of AA, Sadiq Olawale of AAC, Wasiu Saheed of APC, Adekunle Oladapo of LP, Muyideen Agoro of NNPP, Ademorin Adelaja of NRM, Sikiru Alebiosu of PDP and Mrs Mary Abojeh of ADC.
NAN reports that out of the 12 candidates contesting Lagos East Senatorial bye-election, three are females, and among the eight contestants for Kosofe constituency II bye-elections only one is a female.
The two bye-elections, slated for Oct. 31, became necessary following the demise of the two occupants of the seats at both the senate and Lagos Assembly.
