Edo 2020: INEC Gives Deadline For Party Primaries

By Akinwale Kasali

The Mahmood Yakubu led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told political parties interested in the Edo state governorship election that they have 10 days to conduct their primary elections or face disqualification.

The electoral body Chairman, Yakubu, made the announcement during an inter-agency consultative committee on election meeting on Wednesday June 17.

Mahmood stated that INEC will not extend the deadline for political parties that fail to submit the names of their candidates for the election.

He said:  “All Political Parties interested in Fielding Candidates for  the election are reminded that they must conclude their primaries for the  nomination of Candidates in the next 10 days.

“The deadline is Saturday, 27th June, 2020. I must express that the date is firm and fixed. There will be no extension of the deadline.

“WHILE THE CONDUCT OF PRIMARIES AND NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WILL BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF POLITICAL PARTIES, OUR OFFICIALS WILL MONITOR THE PRIMARIES AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

“ARISING FROM OUR EXPERIENCE IN MANAGING THE NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE LAST TWO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS IN BAYELSA AND KOGI STATES, IT IS IMPORTANT TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF POLITICAL PARTIES TO THE FOUR MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS ENSHRINED IN SECTION 177 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 1999 (AS AMENDED).

“A CANDIDATE NOMINATED BY A POLITICAL PARTY MUST BE A NIGERIAN CITIZEN BY BIRTH; MUST HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE OF THIRTY-FIVE (35) YEARS; MUST BE A MEMBER OF, AND SPONSORED BY, A POLITICAL PARTY; AND MUST BE EDUCATED UP TO AT LEAST SCHOOL CERTIFICATE LEVEL OR EQUIVALENT.

“ADHERENCE TO THESE CLEAR CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS IS COMPULSORY IN ORDER TO AVOID THE UNNECESSARY LITIGATION THAT FOLLOW THE NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES, SOME OF WHICH ARE STILL PENDING BEFORE THE COURTS.”

Security agencies and other stakeholders were also urged to be proactive to protect those participating in the election.

The INEC Chairman added; “WE MUST SAFEGUARD THE PROCESS AND PROTECT ALL THOSE INVOLVED AS VOTERS, INEC OFFICIALS, OBSERVERS, THE MEDIA AND EVEN SOME OF THE UNARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL DEPLOYED TO THE POLLING UNITS. DOING SO REQUIRES OUR PROFESSIONALISM AND NEUTRALITY”, he concluded.