APC will not take part in governorship, reps, assembly election in Zamfara – INEC

LAGOS, Nigeria – The All Progressive Congress(APC) will not field candidates for the governorship, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly elections in Zamfara State, the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has affirmed.

INEC who made the revelation in a statement signed by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, said the commission reviewed the situation concerning the APC fielding candidates for the governorship, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly election in Zamfara State.

“The commission noted that there are two court judgements on the matter, one from a state high court in Gusau and the other from Federal High Court, Abuja. The former judgement clearly said that the APC conducted primaries in Zamfara state, contrary to the position of the commission.

“On the other hand, the Federal High Court in Abuja, ruled that the party did not conduct valid primaries and therefore ineligible to field candidates for the elections”, he said, adding that INEC obeys court orders even when it disagrees with them.

“However, these are clearly two contradictory judgements delivered by two courts of coordinate jurisdiction on the same day”, adding that in the circumstance, INEC has decided to maintain its original position that the party in question did not conduct primaries and consiquently in line with section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 as ammended is not eligable to field candidates for the National Assembly, governorship and State Assembly elections in Zamfara State.

He said there are 1,066 candidates for the governorship election, 14, 583 candidates for state assembly election and 806 candidates for the FCT Area Council, 105 chairmanship, and 701 counsellorship.