Shettima Commends INEC and Security Agencies
The acting Chairman, Yobe State Universal Basic Education Board, Isa Shettima has commended the national electoral umpire for the seamless deployment of personal and distribution of materials to various polling units for the Yobe East Senatorial bye election.
Shettima said this while responding to journalists immediately after casting his vote in his Gubja LGA polling unit.
On the participation of electorates, Shettima says ” you need not to be told since seeing with your eyes how they come out enmassed to exercise their voting right (franchise) in choosing their representative in the red chamber of the national assembly and expresses optimism for the his party, APC in clinching victory in the election.
He also salute the gallantry commitment of security agencies in ensuring security for the exercise.
He further notes that the governor of Yobe State, His Excellency, Maimala Buni has tirely worked in ensuring peace returned to the state especially in areas hitherto occupied by boko-haram and continue to ensure the security of lives and properties in the state generally.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC began the distribution of sensitive materials across the eight local government areas of Yobe State ahead of Yobe East Senatorial and Fika/Fune Federal Constituency bye-election and rerun slated for Saturday on Thursday, 1st February, 2024 at the instance of the five contesting political parties as well as other critical players in the election process.
Addressing newsmen during the distribution of the materials at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, office in Damaturu on Thursday, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Yobe, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the inspection and distribution of the sensitive materials was in line with the transparency policy of the commission.
“What we are about to do now is to distribute these sensitive materials to the various electoral officers for further distribution to the wards and polling units across the eight local government areas of the state, Seven for bye election and one for re-run.
“As they leave here with the materials, which are intact, they will go to their offices under full security escort by the military, police and other agencies.
“This is to ensure that the materials arrive safely for further distribution to the wards and polling units,” he said.
He advised electorates in these areas to come out and exercise their franchise, stressing that it must be in an orderly manner.
It was gathered that for Yobe East Senatorial District the bye-election will be held in seven local government areas, namely: Damaturu, Gujba, Gulani, Tarmuwa, Bursari, Geidam and Yunusari.
While a re-run will be conducted in a unit in Shoye Garin Abba Registration Area 001, Balde Primary School of Fika Local Government Area under Fika/Fune Federal Constituency.
Already, the commission has earmarked a total of 4,232 adhoc staff for deployment and 1,339 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines.
