A group, Association of Registered Voters (ASARVOTE) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delist Sen. Ugochukwu Uba, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and Hon. Chuma Umeoji from Nov.6 Anambra governorship election list.
A statement signed by Dr Jezie Ekejiuba and Hon. Sylvester Ofife, National President and Secretary respectively of the group on July 29, said the reason was because the primary election that produced them was flawed.
It noted that call had become imperative because of the multiple litigations against the candidates of APGA, PDP and APC arising from the disputed primaries of the concerned parties for the governorship election in Anambra state.
It added that INEC has been duly served the court orders and counter court orders, saying that the latest being Mr Chike Dike v.INEC and 2 others namely APGA and Mr. Jude Okeke in Suit No.HOW/543/2021 which declared Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji as the authentic candidate of APGA in the forthcoming governorship election in the state and asking INEC to recognise him.
“It is the inalienable right of every voter to know for certainty which candidate he or she intends to vote for and not confused as to the identity of the candidate in an election such as the Anambra State Governorship poll.
“It is on this note that we hereby call on INEC to delist APGA,PDP, and APC candidates from the Anambra State gubernatorial list because of the pending litigations.
“INEC must follow its established precedents of obeying court orders and counter court orders by enlisting only the concerned political parties on the list and on the ballot and await the final pronouncement by the Supreme Court of Nigeria as to who is the authentic candidate of APGA, PDP and APC.
“This particular precedent was followed by INEC in the Imo State Senatorial election candidacy tussle between Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and the eventual Supreme Court winner,Senator Frank Ibezim.
“INEC in heeding this call to delist the names of the APGA, PDP and APC candidates from the Anambra state 2021 guber list will be following the Rule of law.
“That it is the political parties that contest election and also the established principle of law in Ezegbu v.F.A.T.B (1992)1 NWLR (Part 220) page 669 Per Niki Tobi JCA ( as he then was ) which held…” parties are aware of a pending court process,and whether the court has not given a specific injunction order, parties are bound to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the court process.They should on no account resort to self-help…,” it stated.
