Commissions says party violates 21 days notice required by Electoral Act

The move to reject the embattled Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Governor Mai Mala Buni, is becoming cumbersome following the disposition of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which insisted that the provision in the new Electoral Law must be strictly adhered.
 
Though the commission received the letter inviting it to an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling party, it however pointed out some areas that needed to be adjusted by the party.
 
INEC in a response letter dated March 9 2022 and signed by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran Anthony, titled, “Re: Invitation to the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee”, and addressed to the National Chairman of APC,   drew the attention of the party to the fact that the letter of invitation was not signed by the national chairman and national secretary of the CECPC, Buni and Senator John Akpanudoedehe, respectively.
 
This, it said, was contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).
 
INEC also reminded those who wrote and signed the letter of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, “which requires ‘at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of merger and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective office.”
 
It urged the ruling party to note the key issues raised for compliance.
 
The letter by INEC is a big clog in the wheels of a plot by a bloc in the party to stage a coup against Buni, who duly transferred power to Governor Sani Bello of Niger State, to enable him to attend briefly to health issues, according to a leaked letter on Thursday.
 
A notable governor of APC from the northern region, had earlier  indicated that Buni was pushed aside because he was working against holding the planned national convention, a claim Buni’s letter, dated February 28, 2022, and addressed to CECPC members, countered.
 
INEC’s letter read, “Please refer to your letter Ref.APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/022/32, dated 8th March 2022.
 
“The Commission draws your attention to the fact that the notice for the meeting was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).
 
“Furthermore, the APC is reminded of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires ‘at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, Congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘merger’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective office.
 
“While hoping these issues are noted for compliance, please accept the assurance of the Commission’s warm regards.”