APC ‘may not have a candidate’ for Ondo guber poll

As the crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state is getting deeper, a fresh one is brewing in Ondo state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had rejected the primary notice that the party sent to it for the Ondo primary.

INEC said this is as a result of the fact that the notice was signed by only the party’s acting national secretary.

It said that was contrary to the commission’s guidelines, which require that such notice should be jointly signed by the national chairman and national secretary of the political party.

The commission conveyed its position to the APC in a letter dated June 22, 2020, and signed  Rose Oriaran-Anthony its secretary.

The letter marked INEC/DEPIM/APC/522/T.3 with the title “Re: Notice of conduct of primaries” was addressed to the party’s national chairman.

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.

By the provision of section 85 (1) of the electoral act, parties are required to give INEC 21 days notice for the conduct of their primaries for governorship elections and time is running out on the party.

According to the timetable released by INEC on February 6, 2020, party primaries for the Ondo governorship election would start on July 2 and end on July 25, 2020 while the last day for submission of names of candidates is July 28 2020.