A youth group in Ebonyi State, Oriuzor Youths Vanguard for Good Governance, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to without further delay conduct re-run elections in the various vacant senatorial and House of Representatives positions across the country.
The group’s national president, Mr Igiri Innocent, expressed concern that months after the Court of Appeal ruled on the National Assembly election in Ebonyi South zone, the zone is without a senator describing it as marginalisation.
He said all the rights, benefits and privileges other senatorial zones in the state are enjoying has continued to elude the people of Ebonyi South Senatorial zone and wondered when election into the position will be conducted and the position filled.
“How can we continue to watch the Nigerian senate go on without proper composition. Ebonyi South Senatorial zone since August 2023 is not being represented at the Senate when all laws and regulations have been met.
“It is quite surprising that 3 months after the Appeal Court judgement on the matter which declared the current minister of works as the authentic winner of the seat, INEC is yet to fix a date to organize a fresh election for the zone.
“This has created a very bad impression in the zone. Citizens from this zone are asking if they are still equal with other zones of the federation.”
He noted that the group has written to different quarters demanding to know the situation of things and to see how they can help. “We are already preparing our next line of action on this matter which will be to sue INEC if they continue to delay in the conduct of the rerun election and end the criminal marginalisation of the people of Ebonyi South zone,” he said.
He called on the electoral body to announce the time table for the conduct of the rerun election not just in Ebonyi South senatorial zone but other zones and constituencies of the federation to give equal right to all.
