By: ALVINO MEDIA AND STRATEGIC TEAM.
In respect to INEC Published List for Candidates for the 2023 General Elections and the omission of our principal, Ochang Alvin Ochang, two days ago on the list, the ALVINO MEDIA TEAM, wish to convey to our numerous supporters and party faithfuls that, there’s no cause for worry.
Hence the Electoral Act in Section 31 provides for substitution of Candidates, 90 days to the General Election on February 25, 2023.
The Labour Party (LP) has the highest influx of defectors and the time frame for substitution and to upload on the INEC portal was quite short. Neither was there time for verifications and some could not upload successfully.
They are well over 76, candidates of the Labour Party that are affected and Lagos is most hit.
Acknowledging the challenges and window as provided in the Electoral Act 2022, INEC has this to say:
“The list published today (which was yesterday) contains the names of candidates validly nominated for national elections at the close of party primaries and the period earmarked for withdrawal and substitution of candidates.”
The commission added, “We note the fact that not all the political parties conducted primaries in all the constituencies, submitted the particulars of candidates that emerged from valid primaries or substituted their candidates after fresh primaries within 14 days as provided in section 33 of the Electoral Act. This has led to numerous litigations, some of which are ongoing.
“Where the Commission was served with Court orders by aggrieved aspirants or candidates before the publication of this list, these have been indicated under the remark column.”
INEC has to bouttress her position with two observations, thus:
“It is observed in the case of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and his contender, Bashir Machina, whom both missed out on the list as no senatorial candidate was listed for the APC in Yobe North.
“It is also observed that the expelled Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Dumebi Kachikwu, who still appears on INEC’s final list as the party’s presidential candidate despite his expulsion from the party last week.
In conclusion, INEC through Festus Okoye Esq. its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, appeal thus:
“We appeal to all political parties to channel any observations on the list of candidates to the Commission and such must be signed by the National Chairman and Secretary of the Political Party and supported with an affidavit as provided in Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2022,”
It may interest you to know that the Labour Party at the national level has swung into action to speedily resolve the issues in the shortest time and revert to INEC.
Consequently, we want to remind the good people of Ikom/Boki, party faithfuls and our teaming supporters that, the presentation of OCHANG ALVIN OCHANG “My Contract Document 2023 for Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency”, Peace Walk and Campaign Flag-Off still commences on Saturday 1st October, 2022 at the Foresight School Field, Sweet Mother Street, Four Corners, Ikom, at 10am prompt.
ALVINO MEDIA AND STRATEGIC TEAM.
