The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yesterday says it has published the final list of candidates for all the political parties that are expected to participate in the upcoming gubernatorial election come September 19.
Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) revealed, saying in compliance with its timetable and schedule of activities and in accordance with section 34 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended), all names are set.
Okoye added that the commission has published the final list and has already displayed it at the entrance of its office in the state capital and in all the 18 Local government Area council across the state as well as the commission website.
The statement partly reads; “By Section 35 of the Electoral Act and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities of the Commission, the withdrawal and substitution of candidates for the Edo Governorship election ended on 13th July 2020.
Okoye continued, “With the publication of the final list of candidates, no political party can withdraw or substitute any of the nominated candidates or tamper with the list and particulars of the candidates in a manner inconsistent with the Constitution and the Electoral Act,”
Consequently, he urged all political parties to be wary of the timeline as stipulated by the law and the timetable of the schedule of activities while making reference to the constitution.
According to the list published on the commission’s website, Governor Godwin Obaseki is the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); Osagie Ize-Iyamu, All Progressives Congress (APC); Edemakhiota Osaimiamia, Action Alliance (AA); Reuben Edokpayi, African Democratic Congress (ADC); Emmanuel Obio, African Democratic Party (ADP); and Lucky Idehen, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Others are Igbineweka Osmimuede, Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Amos Areloegbe, Accord Party (AP); Isaiah Osifu, Labour Party (LP); Jonathan Enobhaysobo, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Stevie Ozono, National Rescue Movement (NRM); Felix Obayangbon, Social Democratic Party (SDP); Jones Osagiobare, Young Progressives Party; and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Meanwhile, INEC has set July 13 as the last day for any political party to substitute its candidate for the state election and which has already expired.
Consequently, only three political parties substituted their candidates which are, the Action Alliance (AA), Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), Okoye said.
