Amended Electoral Act: Odebala Resigns Appointment, Set to Run for Delta Governorship
By Paul Michael, Dep. Political Editor, Abuja
The chairman of Delta State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Hon. (Barr) Ejaife Omizu Odebala has resigned his appointment in preparation for his Delta 2023 gubernatorial bid.
In a letter dated 28th February, 2022, and addressed to the Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa through the office of the Secretary to the State government, Odebala said his resignation is in compliance with the newly signed Electoral Act.
He said: “I wish to resign my appointment as Chairman of the Delta State Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) with effect from today Monday 28th February, 2022.
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“This resignation is in compliance with the newly signed Electoral Act Amendment Bill as I pursue my ambition for the 2023 gubernatorial election.”
The newly amended Electoral Act provides that all public office holders with intent to contest election must vacate their position before they are eligible for such election.
According to Clause 84 of the Amended Act, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.
“Where a political party fails to comply with the provisions of this Act in the conduct of its primaries, its candidate for election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has, however, sent to the National Assembly a recommendation for the expulsion of Section 84 from the Amended Electoral Act.
Odebala would be joining the likes David Edevbie, Kenneth Gbagi, Sheriff Oborevwori, Peter Mrakpor, James Manager, Kingsley Otuaro, among others to battle for the guber ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections.
