The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has not formally informed it of its February 26 national convention.
Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission is yet to receive notification on the party’s convention.
Section 85 of the Electoral Act 2010 (amended) states the requirements for the registered political parties to notify INEC of their convention.
“I can tell you that as of Monday, the commission is yet to receive such notification from the party (APC),” Oyekanmi said.
The section says it “requires political parties to give INEC 21 days’ notice of their congress convention, congress, conference or meeting convened for the purpose of electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under the act or approving a merger with any other registered political party.”
Asked on the propriety of APC not notifying INEC despite the provision of the electoral act, Oyekanmi said the regulation was clear and the APC or any other registered parties cannot be said to have broken the law when the timeline is yet.