The Independent National Electoral Commission said on Thursday that 16 political parties would field candidates for the Edo State gubernatorial election on September 21, 2024.
Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, stated this in a statement on Thursday.
He identified the following parties: Accord Party, Action Alliance, African Democratic Congress, All Progressives Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, National Rescue Movement, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressives Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
He recommended them to hold rancour-free primaries in accordance with Sections 84(4) and 5(b) of the Electoral Act 2022.
According to Olumekun:
“Sixteen political parties have notified the commission of their intention to participate in the election as well as their preferred modes and dates of primaries.
“Therefore, primaries must take place within the state in line with Sections 84(4) and 5(b) of the Electoral Act 2022.
“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.
“They should also avoid rancorous primaries that lead to the breakdown of law and order often as a result of non-adherence to the provision of their constitutions and guidelines.
“These are some of the issues that lead to a large number of pre-election litigation.”
cc: Punch Ng
