The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday blasted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged attempt to cause confusion in the state through its reported list of candidates from the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It declared that INEC has no legal right to announce the names of nominated candidates of the party, stating that such action does not fall within the commission’s purview and that the exercise is strictly an internal affair of political parties.

The State Legal Adviser of the APC, Barr. Cyprain Udenwa, stated this while giving clarifications on the outcome of recent party primaries at a press briefing shortly after a meeting of APC stakeholders with ward and local government area chairmen held in Awka, the state capital.

The position of the state chapter of the APC followed the circulation of lists of candidates on social media allegedly emanating from the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.

The party, during the meeting, insisted that the seven expelled members led by Arinze Awogu remain expelled for taking the party to court, stressing that they did not participate in the said primary elections.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice F.E. Messiri in a suit filed by the seven dismissed members against the party, upheld the party’s state congress.

The judge noted that party primaries are internal affairs of political parties, adding that the suspended members lacked locus standi to challenge the outcome of the exercise.

According to Barr. Udenwa, “There was a resolution on the floor of the meeting that was moved and adopted that those who took the party to court remain expelled in accordance with the party’s constitution at Section 21(5), and it was unanimously adopted.”

He said, “We made public the list of our candidates from the Senate to the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly by the election committee sent from the national headquarters in Abuja.”

“However, there are issues that have continued to rear their ugly head on social media with reports that INEC declared some aspirants as candidates.”

“Be it known to all and sundry that those reports are totally false and of no effect.”

Udenwa faulted INEC for allegedly attempting to usurp the powers of the party and breach the constitution.

“The duty of INEC is to monitor the primary elections of political parties and not to declare the nomination of candidates.”

“In our Electoral Act Section 84(5), this is made explicit. The duty of INEC is to observe and nothing more.”

“In the same section, the primary is to be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the party, and that includes those constituted to conduct the primary,” he said.

Speaking further on the position of the Arinze Awogu-led group, Udenwa stated that they remain expelled and are not candidates of the party, as they did not participate in the primaries.

“In respect of Arinze Awogu, who has gone on social media along with his cohorts saying that they are candidates of the party, they are on their own because they are not candidates of the party and never participated in the primary elections,” he said.

“What INEC in Anambra State is doing is to cause confusion, and that is very unfortunate to say the least,” he added.

He further stated that even a Supreme Court judgement had affirmed that the nomination of candidates is an internal affair of political parties and that INEC has no locus standi in such matters.

Nigerian Tribune)

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