The coast is now clear for Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, to contest March 11, 2023, Governorship election in Ebonyi state as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored his Name as the Authentic People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the state.
The Electoral Umpire, in amendment number three to the final list of candidates for the election on Monday, January 30, cited a court order for the shortlisting of Odii’s name.
INEC had in its amendment number two issued on December 22, 2022, delisted Odii and his running mate, Senator Igwe Nwagu from the list of candidates also citing court order.
In the second amendment in December 2022, INEC named Henry Chima Udeh as the Ebonyi South Senatorial candidate of the Labour Party also citing court order.
It also delisted the names of all National Assembly candidates of the PDP for all the constituencies in the State except one.
However, in the third amendment released by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the electoral umpire named Linus Okorie, a former Member of the House of Representatives as the Senatorial candidate of the Labour Party for Ebonyi South zone.
INEC, in the third amendment, also listed Mr Irem Ibom Oka, a former State Chairman of the PDP, as the candidate of the party for Afikpo North/South Federal Constituency
The name of the present occupant of the seat, Mr Iduma Igariwey was listed as the candidate of the party in the original list released on September 20, 2022.
INEC also listed the name of the Member Representing Ezza North/Ishielu Constituency, Anayo Edwin as the All Progressive Grand Alliance candidate for the constituency in place of Mr Joseph Nwobashi.
The Commission in an explanatory statement accompanying the list said the third amendment became necessary due to various court orders it was served.
INEC also explained that some amendments became necessary to correct errors made by Political Parties while uploading the names of their candidates on its portal.
“The Commission published the final list of candidates for Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives elections on 20th September 2022 and Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections on 4” October 2022 in accordance with the provisions of Section 32 of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Elections.
“After the said publication, the Commission was served Orders of Court in respect of the nomination of candidates for Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly Elections”
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“It is worthy of note that the list of candidates was amended in Amendment Nos. 1 & 2 published on the Commission’s website on 10th November and 22nd December 2022, pursuant to Court Orders and Deaths.
“By virtue of the provision of Section 287 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Commission is bound to enforce the Orders of Court on the Nomination of candidates by Political Parties in the affected Constituencies”.
“Whereas the Commission published the details of Candidates as submitted by political parties on the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal (ICNP), some political parties forwarded complaints seeking correction of error made in the details of their candidates”.
“Consequent upon the above, the lists of candidates in respect of the attached Senatorial Districts and Federal Constituencies, Governorship and State House of Assembly elections are amended and published as Amendment No. 3 pursuant to the Orders of Court served on the Commission as at 30th January 2023, Deaths and requests for the correction of candidates’ details by political parties”, the statement said.
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