Ikeazor Still In Race For Anambra Central Senatorial Seat, Says APC
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday stated that its candidate for the Anambra Central Senatorial seat, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, was still very much in the race for election billed to hold on March 5, this year.
A statement by party’s National Secretary, Mallam Mai Mala Buni, said the clarification was sequel to reports in the media suggesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had excluded her from the election.
The party maintained that it has not received any communication from INEC in respect of the purported exclusion.
Expressing optimism that Ikeazor would contest in the poll, in line with the dictate of the law, the party noted: “Dr. Chris Ngige, who contested the election in March last year on the platform of the APC is now a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has withdrawn from the fresh election ordered by the Court of Appeal.
“To avoid a vacuum, the party, after due process, presented the candidature of Ikeazor as replacement for the original candidate, who withdrew from the race.
“By law, a political party has the right to nominate and sponsor candidates in all elections in Nigeria. It is immaterial whether it is a general election, bye–election, new election, fresh election or election of any nomenclature.
“The right of a political party to substitute a candidate who dies or withdraws his/her candidacy is contained in Sections 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).
“The APC is confident that the INEC, as a law-abiding body, will be guided by the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and continue its efforts to deliver peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.”
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