January 26, 2015 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today rejected seven of the governorship aspirants submitted by six political parties for the February 28 general elections.
In a statement issued by Mr. Ishiaku A. Gali, a director in INEC, the electoral body said it rejected the governorship aspirants because affected parties refused to submit names of their deputies.
The candidates are from Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) in Delta state, Labour Party (LP) in Niger State, New Nigeria Peoples Party(NNPP) in Ogun State, Unity Party of Nigeria(UPN) in Oyo State, United Democratic Party (UDP) in Rivers State, and Peoples Democratic Movement(PDM) in Sokoto and Zamfara State respectively.
INEC noted that its decision on the governorship candidates is based on section 187 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides that a candidate to the office of a governor shall not be deemed to be validly nominated for such office unless he appoints another candidate as his running mate who shall occupy the office of Deputy Governor.
The commission also noted that House of Representatives election in Ado/Opoku/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State was uncontested, and as such, the nominated candidate should be declared elected on the day of the election by the Returning Officer.
According to INEC, “If after 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.”
