The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected
the withdrawal of Oby Ezekwesili as presidential candidate of the Allied
Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).
According to the electoral commission, it is too late for
any candidate to withdraw from contesting any position in the upcoming
elections.
Ezekwesili announced her withdrawal this morning saying she
wanted to give room for a coalition against candidates of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC). But reacting via a
statement, Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, said
November 17 was the last date for withdrawal.
The statement read: “It is impossible for any presidential
candidate to withdraw from the race now. According to the Timetable and
Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Elections, the last day for
withdrawal by candidates or replacement of withdrawn candidates by political
parties was 17th November, 2018 for Presidential and National Assembly
Elections.
The deadline for Ezekwesili or any candidate in that
category to withdraw or be replaced has passed.
Section 35 of the electoral act, which gives deadline from
withdrawal from any election, states: “A candidate may withdraw his candidature
by notice in writing signed by him and delivered by himself to the political
party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey
such withdrawal to the Commission not later than 45 days to the election.”
