The Independent National Electoral Commission says 12 political party candidates will contest the February 3 Surulere federal constituency I by-election.

INEC’s resident electoral commissioner in Lagos, Ayobami Salami, disclosed this on Thursday at a stakeholders’ meeting with leaders of political parties, religion, and security, among other stakeholders.

The seat became vacant due to the resignation of Femi Gbajabiamila, whom President Bola Tinubu appointed as his chief of staff.

Mr Salami said the purpose of the meeting was to brief party leaders on the commission’s level of preparedness for the forthcoming bye-election, scheduled for February 3.

He said, “The commission is required by law to conduct a bye-election in Surulere federal constituency 1 to fill the vacancy arising from the resignation of Gbajabiamila. It is worthy of note to inform us that this category of election belongs to the class of bye-elections, which are also fresh elections.

“To this end, it goes without saying that political parties must conduct fresh primaries within the time frame provided by the enabling instruments to elect their candidates.”

The INEC commissioner explained that in tandem with the provisions of the enabling instruments, the following electoral activities have been undertaken so far to ensure the smooth conduct of the process and demonstrate its fairness and transparency.

Notice of election was given on January 4, while party primaries to elect candidates were held from January 5 to January 9. INEC forwarded a list of 14 political parties from the national headquarters to partake in the process. But only 12 political parties eventually participated and have been submitted to the national headquarters for publication, Mr Salami said.

He listed the candidates as Akinyemi Da-Silva (Accord), Kayode Jelili (Action Alliance), Collins Aigbokhaode (African Democratic Congress), Fuad Laguda (All Progressives Congress), Jonathan Ololade (All Progressives Grand Alliance) and Samuel Ekwuruke (Allied People’s Movement), Yinusa Adisa (Action People’s Party) Adeola Adebanjo (Labour Party) Jerry Afemighie (Peoples Democratic Party) Muyiwa Adedeji (Social Democratic Party); Oluwole Austine Brito (Young Progressive Party) and Emereole Anthony (Zenith Labour Party).

(NAN)