The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will only honour the mode of primary submitted to it by the national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.
Igbere TV reports that the Electoral body was reacting to the crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the APC over the mode of primary to be used in the conduct of its June 22 governorship primary.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, told newsmen in Abuja on Sunday that the commission’s rules, regulations and laws allowed it to only relate with the national chairman and national secretary of political parties.
He stressed that regardless of what was happening in state chapters of parties, the commission would only recognise the date, venue and mode of primary submitted to it by the two national officers.
Okoye told Sunday PUNCH that the law only allowed the commission to relate with the national chairman and national secretary when it pertained to party primaries.
He said, “INEC does not deal with state branches of political parties in matters relating to or connected with the conduct of party primaries. Section 85(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) makes it mandatory for political parties intending to nominate candidates for elective offices to give the commission 21 days’ notice of its intention to conduct party primaries.
“In our rules and regulations, the letter to this effect is signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of political parties indicating the date, time and venue for the conduct of party primaries and the mode of the primaries.
“The mode of primaries to be adopted by political parties is a function of their constitution, the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and the regulations and guidelines issued by INEC.
“So, we don’t have business with state branches of political parties because our rules, regulations and laws say we should relate with the national chairman and the national secretary in terms of fixing party primaries, whether direct or indirect.
“The commission will not dictate to political parties the mode of primaries to adopt as it is a purely legal and party affair. What is certain is that the commission will monitor the primaries and provide protective equipment for its staff that will be involved in the process.”
This apparently puts to rest the controversy trailing the mode of primary for APC in the Edo guber poll. While the faction loyal to Oshiomhole opted for Direct Primary as announced by National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, a faction loyal to the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki favours Indirect Primary.
Both Oshiomhole and Obaseki have been at loggerheads for some time now over control of the party in Edo. Obaseki, who is seeking re-election, has accused the APC chairman and predecessor of wanting to deny him a second term ticket.
