Political Parties Appeal To INEC For Extension Of Primary Deadline

Political parties in Nigeria have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the June 3 primary election deadline.

Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Yabagi, made the appeal on Tuesday at a meeting of the electoral umpire and leaders of various political parties at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Recall, days ago, INEC warned all political parties that deadline for the conduct of 2023 general elections primaries remains fixed for Friday, June 3, 2022.

The electoral body stressed that the nominations for presidential and national assembly elections should be submitted between June 10 and 17 while those of governorship and state houses of assembly should be between July 1 and 15.

It is said that the parties are asking the electoral body for a shift in schedule of the 2023 general elections in order to allow more aspirants purchase nomination forms, this which will add to their revenue.

According to Yabagi, who also serves as the National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the extension is necessary to help political parties put things in order for the forthcoming general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Yakubu responding to the appeal informed party leaders that the commission would not review the existing timelines and appealed that primaries be conducted credibly in order to minimise litigations.