Omitted Candidates: PDP, NDC, ADP, LP Say They Have Met INEC’s October 24 Deadline

ABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Labour Party (LP) have confirmed compliance with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) October 24 deadline for correcting omissions in its published list of candidates.

The PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Captain Umar Bature (retd.), disclosed that the party had completed the required corrections within the period stipulated by the electoral commission.

The omissions affected the PDP’s governorship candidates in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, and Gombe State, Prof. Isa Pantami, as well as seven House of Assembly candidates.

Other parties reportedly affected by the omissions included the Social Democratic Party (SDP), NDC, African Democratic Congress (ADC), ADP and LP. INEC had directed the affected parties to correct the discrepancies by October 24.

Responding to an inquiry by Vanguard yesterday, Bature confirmed that the PDP had met the deadline.

“Yes, we met the deadline since,” he said.

NDC, ADP Affirm They Met Deadline

The NDC leadership also confirmed that it had complied with INEC’s directive on correcting the names of candidates left out of the published list.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, gave the confirmation when contacted by Vanguard.

“Yes, we did,” he said.

The ADP equally declared that it had completed the necessary corrections before the deadline.

Its National Chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, told Vanguard yesterday, “we did. Thanks a lot.”

Labour Party Expresses Confidence Ahead of Elections

The Labour Party said it remained in good standing with INEC on issues concerning the correction of candidates’ names and the replacement of candidates.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the LP had complied with the relevant requirements.

“The Labour Party is in good standing with INEC, including on matters relating to the correction of names and replacement of candidates,” he stated.

Asogwa added that the party was confident of a successful outing for all its candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

Candidates Await Further INEC Update

Despite the assurances from the parties, the electoral commission has yet to provide additional information on the status of some omitted candidates, including NDC’s John Upan and ADC’s Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo in Cross River State.

Toyo told Vanguard that she had fulfilled all the requirements communicated to her before the deadline but was still awaiting an official update from INEC.

“They gave us the deadline of October 24 which was Saturday and I had done all that they asked for but they have not brought out any information. Let’s wait for them,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Osaro Aisen, Head of INEC Voter Education in Cross River State, said the matter was being handled at the commission’s Abuja headquarters and was legal in nature.

“The whole thing is handled from Abuja and it is a legal matter. Let’s see what will come forth tomorrow (Monday).

“I cannot give you a categorical answer now till tomorrow,” he said.

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