INEC document rejects NWC’s attempt to compromise Ondo primary process, as alarm over APC possible disqualification in October poll
According to the timetable released by INEC on February 6, 2020, party primaries for the Ondo governorship election begins on July 2 and end on July 25 while the last day for submission of names of candidates is July 28.
What has been described as the inevitable reality that states the All Progressives Congress (APC) and therefore necessitate an urgent National Executive Council (NEC) has been unveiled.
This is as copy of a letter from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stumbled over by The DEFENDER, reveals the body’s rejection of National Working Committee (NWC)’s attempt to compromise Ondo primary process.
It shows that despite what similar attempt in Edo State got the party into leading to its losing an entire state control to a once upon a time rejected party, the members of the controversial NWC appear not to have learned any lesson, we gathered, as they are making fresh effort to also put the party in deep trouble over the conduct of its primary election in Ondo State.
A source at the party’s headquarters, earlier in a media report, disclosed that they may not have a candidate for the Ondo governorship election scheduled for October 10, 2020 except something quick is done.
A document seen by Sahara Reporters indicated that the party notified INEC that it had fixed July 20, 2020 for its primary election in the state and invited the commission to monitor the exercise.
However, the letter with Ref. No. APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/020/013 dated June 17, 2020 was only signed by the Acting National Secretary of the party, Waziri Bulama.
INEC replied the party that the letter violates the provision of Article 4.4 of the commission’s regulations and guidelines for the conduct of party primaries, which requires that such notices must be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of a political party.
Consequently, INEC rejected the letter and advised the party to do the needful. The letter is signed by the Secretary to the commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
As a result of the development, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu faces disqualification from the Ondo governorship election as the APC crisis may prevent the submission of names of contestants for the party’s primary.
By provision of Section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act, political parties are required to give INEC 21 days notice for the conduct of their primaries for governorship elections.
According to the timetable released by INEC on February 6, 2020, party primaries for the Ondo governorship election begins on July 2 and end on July 25 while the last day for submission of names of candidates is July 28.
A further investigation by The DEFENDER revealed that those, who are APC in Edo and are already positioning as PDP in Ondo, will do things which make it impossible for APC to field candidate.
This, we learned further, is so that there will be no power of incumbency to stop them from winning. Members loyals to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Akeredolu raised alarm, calling on all Nigerians to watch over Indo process.
