Off-cycle Elections: Tinubu Presents APC Flags To Uzodinma, Sylva, Ododo

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, presented flags to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidates in the November elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States.

Naija News reports that President Tinubu, who is the national leader of the ruling party, presented the flags to the candidates inside the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The president presented flags to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who is seeking a second term, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is seeking to return as Bayelsa governor, and Usman Ododo, who is seeking to become the Kogi governor.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recently said it is concerned about the spate of violence involving political parties and candidates in the three states.

The electoral body stressed that free and fair elections are only possible in an atmosphere of peace.

The commission has also called on political parties and candidates to avoid provocative utterances and actions ahead of the elections.

On his part, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, had said Tinubu had given an order that the off-cycle polls must be fair.

He assured that a lot of work has gone into preparations, adding that the security agencies are prepared for the polls.

“We want to assure you that we are working on that, fully ready and fully prepared. Nothing is as important as a free and fair election in a democracy. That we can assure you, this government is ready to provide that,” he said