APC promises hitch-free, seamless primary, screens 12 aspirants
Ahead of primary elections by political parties for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged parties to ensure that primaries take place within the state in line with Sections 84(4) and 5(b) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The commission also appealed to parties to avoid unnecessary postponement, arbitrary changes of venues of their primaries, wholesale change of delegates’ list or the submission of names that did not emerge from valid primaries as candidates for the election.
National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, who gave the advice in a statement, yesterday, said 16 political parties have notified the Commission of their intention to participate in the election, as well as their preferred modes and dates of primaries.
He said: “It will be recalled that INEC released the timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo State off-cycle governorship election.
“Among activities listed for the election is the conduct of primaries by political parties scheduled for February 1 – 24, 2024. By virtue of Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are required to give the Commission at least 21 days notice before the date fixed for the conduct of their primaries.”
MEANWHILE, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has assured the twelve Edo State governorship aspirants in the February 17 party primary of a level playing ground for the most eligible and accepted candidate to fly the party’s flag in September governorship election.
He spoke, yesterday, through the National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Arugungu, while inaugurating the Edo State National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee and Screening Appeal Committee at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
Ganduje enjoined members of the two committees to be meticulous in the discharge of their assignment, ensuring that the outcome of their assignment would be devoid of any litigation.
He said: “We are going to provide a level playing ground for all our 12 aspirants. I implore you to be thorough in carrying out your assignment and follow the checklists to be sure that all the aspirants comply with the guidelines.
Charging members of the two committees, the chairman said: “As you proceed to engage with the task for which you have been nominated, please be rest assured that we have made sure that the exercise will be hitch-free and seamless.”
