INEC Insists ANDP Nomination For Bayelsa Was Invalid

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday insisted that the nomination of the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) for Bayelsa governorship election was invalid, promising to give further clarification on matter when it receives full text of the judgement delivered by the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

Barrister Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, stated this in his initial reaction to the nullification of the Bayelsa state governorship poll by the tribunal.

Governor Douye Diri, beneficiary of the disputed poll has already announced his intention to challenge the decision of the tribunal at the apex courts.

Okoye, in chat with journalists noted that the nomination of the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) for the election was invalid, adding the party also failed to exercise its right guaranteed in the Fourth Alteration to the constitution by filing its suit within 14-days stipulated in the relevant section of the constitution.

Okoye recalled that the ANDP was one of the political parties that signified its intention to contest the November 16, 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

According to Okoye, the party conducted party primaries and submitted the name of one Peter David as its Deputy Governorship candidate who unfortunately failed to meet the constitutional requirement.

He said; “As at the time of the submission of the name of the said candidate, he was 34 years-old, contrary to Section 177(b) of the constitution that makes it mandatory for a candidate for such office to attain the age of 35 years to be eligible to contest the election.”

“In the candidate’s statutory declaration of age and affidavit attached to his form, the party stated that he was born on February 10, 1985.”

“On Sept. 13, 2019, the commission wrote to the party drawing their attention to the constitutional age requirement of 35 years for Governorship/Deputy Governorship candidates as stipulated in Section 177(b) of the constitution.”

“The commission also informed them of the invalidity of their nomination for the Nov. 16, 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State,” he said.

Okoye also recalled that on Sept. 21, 2019 and in response to the letter of the commission dated Sept. 13, 2019, the ANDP wrote the commission acknowledging the invalidity of its nomination and forwarding the name of one Miss Inowei Janeth as their new Deputy Governorship candidate.

“On Sept. 27, 2019, the commission informed the party that the deadline for the submission of nominations as provided for in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by the commission on May 16, 2019 was Sept. 9, 2019.”