by Kolapo Olapoju

The governorship candidates of seven parties, have been rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The commission communicated the development via its bulletin, where the parties of the affected candidates were listed, but their names were missing.

According to the commission, the parties and the states affected are; the Peoples Party of Nigeria in Delta State; Labour Party in Niger State; the New Nigeria Peoples Party in Ogun State; and the Unity Party of Nigeria in Oyo State.

The remaining parties are the United Democratic Party in Rivers State; and the Peoples Democratic Movement in Sokoto and Zamfara states.

The extract, which was issued and signed by the Director (Commission’s Secretariat), Ishiaku Gali, saw INEC also approve that the only candidate for the House of Representatives in Ado/Opoku/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, be declared elected on the day of the election by the Returning Officer.

Consequently, Christian Abah, of the Peoples Democratic Party, being the only contestant in the constituency has been declared the winner without election.

According to the commission, its decision was based on the provision of Section 41 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which provides that, “If after the expiration of time for delivering of nomination papers, withdrawal of candidates and the extension of time as provided for in this Act there is only one person whose name is validly nominated in respect of an election, other than to the office of the President or Governor, that person shall be declared elected.”

Kolapo Olapoju