INEC Rejects Ezekwesili Withdrawal From Presidential Race
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has rejected the withdrawal of Oby Ezekwesili from the Presidential race.
Ezekwesili of the ACPN on Thursday, January 24th revealed her decision to pull out of the Presidential race for her to be partt of a coalition to vie against the PDP and APC.
In a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary of INEC, Rotimi Oyekanmi, he said the last date for withdrawal was November 17th.
“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and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Elections, the last day for withdrawal by candidates or replacement of withdrawn candidates by political parties was 17th November, 2018 for Presidential and National Assembly Elections.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 clays to the election.”
The ACPN has also abandoned Ezekwesili to support President Muhammadu Buhari.
