The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted the governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States earlier fixed for November 2 by two weeks.

A statement by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said the decision was taken after a careful consideration of the appeals during the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, May 16.

Okoye said the Commission has now scheduled the elections for Saturday, November 16, adding that the timelines for all other activities leading to the elections have also been adjusted to align with the new date.

The shift is coming barely 48 hours after the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) paid a visit to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, demanding an adjustment in the date of the polls.

Jonah had premised the demand for an adjustment in the governorship polls date on the fact that the day clashed with Bayelsa State’s yearly thanksgiving service which had been backed by law and has been on for the past seven years.