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Few days to the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not seem to be happy over recent developments emerging from the courts.
        The electoral umpire says it is faced with the challenge of alleged injunctions and orders from courts many some of which come in the heat of the electioneering and when everything is set. Speaking on Wednesday, November 13, in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi state, Festus Okoye, a national commissioner of the electoral body, said the organisation was worried over such injunctions close to election. He lamented that some of these orders come 48 hours to elections thus putting INEC on the spot. Okoye, who doubles as the chairman, voters education and publicity, however, noted that INEC had always obeyed such orders even at odd periods. “Only last week, the court asked us to involve the SDP on the ballot. While that was being done, just yesterday (Tuesday, November 12), another court gave order that APM must be included. “If only you know the logistic and efforts involved in printing ballot papers, you will understand why we are apprehensive of such 11th hour ruling," he lamented. The INEC chief disclosed that INEC plans to make proposals on the electoral reform to the National Assembly in 2020. According to him, in the proposal, INEC will be bold, strong and courageous in its efforts to make the electoral system work for the country.