By Abiola Olawale
Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a deadline for the submission of nomination forms for candidates.
The electoral body made this known in a press statement issued on Friday by its National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
INEC, in the statement, also sounded warning to the political parties participating in the election to work within the timeline for the nomination of candidates, saying it would not grant any extension.
Olumekun said political parties have from Monday, 4th March 2024 to 6pm of Sunday 24th March 2024 to file their nominations.
The statement reads, “The Commission has earmarked a period of 20 days for Political parties to upload the Personal Particulars (Form EC9) and Names/List of Nominated candidates (Form EC9B) of their candidates to the portal which will open at 9.00am on Monday 4th March 2024 and automatically shut down at 6.00pm on Sunday 24th March 2024. Access Code to the portal will be available for collection by the National Chairman of political parties from today.
“To help political parties to ensure seamless nominations, the Commission is once again organising refresher training for two Liaison Officers per party. The training commences today Friday 1st March 2024 and ends on Monday 4th March 2024. The Venue is the Media Centre at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
“The Media Centre will also serve as the Help Desk during the period of nomination of candidates in case any political party needs assistance.
“The Commission wishes to draw the attention of Political parties that 20 days are enough to upload the nomination forms of only two candidates per party (Governorship candidate and running mate). Therefore, there is no reason to request for extension of time and none will be granted beyond Sunday 24th March 2024.”
The New Diplomat reports that the representative of Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was declared the winner of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship fresh primary election.
Also, the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata (SAN), won the governorship primary of the Edo State Labour Party as the candidate for the party in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Asue Ighodalo emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming Edo poll.
