INEC Speaks On NLC Protest Affecting Saturday’s Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the protest by the Organised Labour at the Abuja and Lagos airports would not affect the governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known in an interview on Thursday.

Recall that members of the Organised Labour on Thursday blocked both the entry and exit ways of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to protest the assault of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

The protesters attempted to enter the airport but were stopped by the military and other security agencies at the checkpoint.

Speaking with Daily Trust, Oyekanmi said the NLC strike is not targeted at the governorship elections and is expected to be held as scheduled in the three states.

He urged the federal government and the NLC to resolve their differences amicably through dialogue as quickly as possible.

He said: “The NLC strike is not targeted at the governorship elections and is not expected to disrupt them. However, we urge the federal government and the NLC to resolve their differences amicably through dialogue as quickly as possible.”

Oyekanmi said that all the non-sensitive and sensitive materials needed for the three elections on Saturday have already been delivered to the respective states.

“In fact, the sensitive materials for the elections are currently being disbursed in the premises of the respective Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branches in the three states at this moment,” he added.