- INEC will not honour invitation for meeting – Okoye
Joshua Omoloye, Abuja
Ahead of Thursday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni is set to resume back his position as chairman of Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
Buni who has been away on medical trip to Dubai is reported to be back in the country.
Report had it that President Muhammadu Buhari after a meeting with some chieftains of the party in London at the weekend agreed that Buni retains his position.
The party through its spokesperson, Ismaeel Ahmed had earlier declared that Buni remains CECPC chairman as against previous position that Niger State Governor, Sani Bello has taken over from Buni, though in an acting capacity.
The new twist in the leadership rancour couldn’t have been at the instance of rejection of a letter written by Bello informing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the NEC meeting, The Trumpet gathered.
The electoral body recognized both Buni and Sen. John Akpanudoedehe as chairman and secretary respectively of the CECPC, thereby failed to attend to Bello’s letter on the ground that change of leadership, if any, was not properly carried out.
Buni’s resumption at the Buhari House national secretariat of the party will no doubt, lay to rest controversies surrounding his status.
He is expected to hold a meeting with his cabinet members to prepare ground for Thursday’s NEC meeting during which every issue concerning the March 26 national convention will be ironed out.
Though there is a court injunction restraining APC from going ahead with the convention, the party is yet to issue any statement on compliance with the court order or otherwise.
INEC insisted it will not attend the emergency NEC meeting as the commission was not properly informed.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye emphasized this Monday while featuring on Channels Television Programme, Sunrise Daily.
Okoye said “INEC is only telling the APC that it recognises only letters signed by the CECPC Chairman and Secretary of APC and not letters signed by other party chieftains who are not recognised by the Commission.
“Aside this, the Electoral Act stated that INEC must be given a 21 days’ notice of any planned meeting of political parties for it to get ready to monitor such meetings of political parties”.
Though he said the Commission will not stop APC from holding its NEC meeting but was just asking the party to play according to the rule of the game as enumerated in the Electoral Act.
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He clarified that APC can hold their NEC meeting but if it will entail a change of leadership, the Commission will not accept it and will not recognise such exercise.
“The APC has been reminded of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which requires ‘at least 21 days’ Notice of any Convention, Congress, Conference, or Meeting convened for the purpose of ‘merger’ and electing members of its Executive Committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective offices”.
“Also, Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2022 says political parties must provide the authentic Register of Members during Convention, Congress, Conference, or Meetings which INEC will monitor. These are the crux of the matter”, Okoye said.