INEC denies knowledge of APC’s coming convention

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said it has no knowledge of the coming convention of the All-Progressives Congress.

Leaders of the ruling APC have slated the party’s convention for February 26 with activities commencing this week.

 The Electoral Act states that any political party planning to hold its national convention must inform INEC at least 21 days prior to its national convention.

But INEC said APC is yet to inform them on the coming convention.

When contacted over the coming convention of APC, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the party was yet to inform the INEC.

“The APC has yet to officially notify the commission of its planned convention,” said Oyekanmi.

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However, APC believed it still has a few days to inform the election umpire about the convention.

The Secretary, APC Caretaker Committee, Akpanudoedehe, when contacted, said “We are fully aware. We send notices to INEC to conduct primaries and congresses. We are fully aware of this. We have a date that we will transmit the letter. We have a particular date when we will send the letter. We are fully aware of our responsibilities.”

The party will on February 2, 2022, consider and adopt reports of state congresses and inaugurate legitimate state executive on February 3, 2022.

Sale of Forms to all aspirants vying for national offices will start on February 14, 2022, while all accompanying documents must be completed on or before February 19, 2022.

The sub-committees that would undertake the convention would be inaugurated on February 19, 2022, while the screening of all aspirants vying for national offices would hold between February 20 and 22 2022.  The screening appeals will hear and resolve complaints arising from the screening exercise on February 23, 2022.

The accreditation of all statutory and elected delegates to the national convention will be conducted between February 24 and 25 2022 ahead of the February 26 date of the convention.