Fidelis David in Akure
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that 19 political parties have notified the commission about the conduct of their primaries for the November 16 governorship election in the state.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed this during a meeting with the representatives of political parties at the commission’s office in Akure, the state capital.
“The parties include the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Democratic Party (ADP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
“Others are Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party, Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Youth Party, Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP),” Babalola said.
The REC noted that the commission received notification from the political parties for the conduct of primaries for the governorship election exercise billed to commence from April 6 to 27.
The meeting, which she said was an opportunity to engage with political parties on the upcoming party primaries represented a critical juncture in the democratic journey in the state, stressing that the role of political parties in ensuring the success and integrity of the process cannot be overemphasised.
Babalola urged all parties to adhere strictly to their guidelines, rules, and regulations set forth in their constitutions as well all electoral laws in conduct of their primaries next month.
While advising parties to entrench the principle of internal democracy in the conduct of their primaries to reduce tension, division and pre-election cases that may arise after the conduct of the primaries, the REC charged them to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a peaceful, orderly, and transparent manner to ensure the credibility of the outcomes.
