JUST IN: Weekend Primaries may be Postponed as INEC Considers Parties’ Plea for Adjustment of Schedule
By Mahmud Abdulsalam & Kabir Akintayo
There are indications that the upcoming presidential primaries of the leading political parties may be postponed as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) considers a plea for little adjustment of schedule as requested by the parties.
INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu gave the hint on Friday during a meeting between the Commission and leaders of political parties under the auspices of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
While Yakubu reiterated that there will be no 37-60 day adjustment on the schedule as earlier requested, he however noted that the political parties have modified their request.
According to him: “This meeting is convened from the request of the political parties, so this is distinct from our regular consultative meetings. We have heard from the IPAC Chairman who on behalf of the political parties again requested for a review of our election timelines.
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“It appears that the proposition this time around is different. From the request made earlier which the Commission has responded emphatically, for emphasis, the request for last time was for an extension for between 37 days and 60 days, on this, the position of the Commission has not changed .
” Such request will not be entertained in view of the line up of activities already released and published. It appears the parties have presented a modified request, for what the Chairman called a little adjustment, we will now discuss further to understand the basis for this little adjustment, thereafter the Commission will meet and issue a statement”.
Speaking earlier, the IPAC National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, submitted that the request of the political parties is for the Commission to take a second look at the timetable, which he said is tight.
He stressed that the call for the adjustment became necessary as a result of the fact that the 2022 Electoral Act is being put to use for the first time and needs to be tested.
He said: “We feel that if we are given some more time, we will be able to deliver on the promise of free and fair election as we conduct our primaries. Mr. Chairman, this meeting is coming on the heels of the meeting that leaders of political parties held where we unanimously agreed to seek another round of discussion with you, given the critical necessity of the extension”.
