No Date Yet For Benue Council Polls – Information Commissioner

The Benue State Government, on Monday, said it was yet to fix a date for the conduct of local government elections in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Ngunan Addingi, disclosed this in a phone interview with THE WHISTLER.

Our correspondent sought clarification from Addingi after criticisms trailed an earlier announcement on Benue TV that the state government had fixed May 30th for the council polls despite the COVID-19.

“After series of deliberations by stakeholders, it has been agreed that the rescheduled Local Govt. Election will go ahead on the May 30, 2020 despite Covid-19, as planned.

“Electorates are urged to wear their facemasks during the rescheduled polls,” a post on the Facebook page of the state owned television had said.

Recall that a few days ago, the government had also rescinded its decision to lift the lockdown on markets, worship centres and other public gatherings, as a measure against the spread of the virus.

But Addingi told our correspondent that the state government was yet to fix a date for the election, adding that the state Governor, Samuel Ortom, would first consultat with relevant stakeholders to arrive at a date.

“The governor is having a stakeholders meeting on that either today or tomorrow. Once he’s done with the meeting, a decision will be announced. A decision has not yet been announced.

“His excellency said he will consult with the people, party executives and they will make the decision. Whatever decision they make he will announce it. So it’s the people that will decide.”

Addingi further said the COVID-19 outbreak may delay the conduct of the polls which may in turn delay the exit of the present caretaker committee chairmen whose tenures are expiring soon.