March 06, (THEWILL) – Four days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), notified political parties to upload the personal particulars (Form EC9) and names/lists of nominated candidates in the upcoming Edo State governorship election to its portal, the Labour Party is yet to issue a Certificate of Return (CoR), to its candidate, Mr Olumide Akpata, fueling speculations that all is not well with the party.
The former Nigerian Bar Association president emerged as governorship candidate of the LP on February 23, 2023, almost at the same time candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo and his All Progressives Congress counterpart, Senator Monday Okpebholo, won their tickets and have since been issued with Certificates of Return by their respective parties.
Contacted by THEWILL, National Publicity Secretary of LP, Mr Obiora Ifo, disclosed that the party has just overcome some legal and administrative challenges, which caused the delay in the issuance of CoR to Mr Akpata.
He said, “There is no problem at all. We came back from Benin City after the primary and then went for a strategic meeting in Umuahia, Abia State. We just came back and then today, (Tuesday), we had an appeal court case that just affirmed Julius Abure, as our National Chairman. There is no problem at all. Mr Akpata is our candidate. As soon as INEC opens its portal we will submit all the necessary details.”
On when the CoR would be issued to Mr Akpata, Ifo said, “Hopefully, we will do the formalities this week, if not, then it will be done early next week.”
The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, recently urged political parties to endeavour to work within the guidelines set by the Commission for a seamless electoral process ahead of the off-cycle poll in Edo State.
He said, “The Commission has earmarked 20 days for political parties to upload the Personal Particulars (Form EC9) and Names/ Lists of Nominated candidates (Form EC9B), of their candidates to the portal which will open at 9:00 am on Monday, March 4, 2024, and automatically shut down at 6:00 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Access Code to the portal will be available for collection by the National Chairmen of political parties from today.”
About the Author
Amos Esele is the Deputy Editor of THEWILL Newspaper. He has over two decades of experience on the job.
