Primaries: No going back on October 7 deadline, INEC tells political parties

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Notwithstanding the controversies trailing most primaries conducted by some political parties so far, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that there is no going back on the October 7 deadline for conclusion of primaries and resolution of all disputes.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold their presidential primaries this weekend to elect their candidates.
Both parties however have not concluded their National Assembly and gubernatorial primaries.
The Commission, at the end of its weekly meeting yesterday in Abuja, noted that in line with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), 89 out of the 91 registered political parties gave notice of their intention to conduct their primaries as required by the Act.
In a statement by Prince Solomon Soyebi, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Publicity, the commission added that the primaries have commenced and were at various stages of the process.
According to the statement, “The commission wishes to restate that the conduct of primaries and resolution of all disputes arising therefrom must be concluded on or before the 7th of October, 2018 as earlier published in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 general elections.
“The last day for the submission of lists of their sponsored candidates (Form CFOO2) and personal particulars (Form CF001) remains 18th of October 2018 for Presidential and National Assembly. and 2nd of November for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly.
“The commission states further that it will only accept the list of candidates submitted by the National Chairman and the National Secretary,” the statement added.