June 10, (THEWILL) –Â The Benue state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged that it has come to its knowledge that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rescheduled the conduct of her governorship/State Assembly Primaries for 8th and 9th June, 2022, in 12 out of the 23 local government areas in the state.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Benue State Chapter, hereby protests this conduct for the following reasons.”
The statement signed by the State Chairman and Secretary of the PDP, Sir John Ngbede and Joe Nyam, said such violates Article 1.2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations, which requires at least a seven-day notice for such exercise.
“In effect, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had violated Section 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which empowers INEC to issue regulations, guidelines or manuals for purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Act and for its administration.
“We state on good authority that there is no correspondence from the INEC headquarters in Abuja, instructing your office to monitor the rescheduled primaries.
“Refer to INEC’s letter to PDP in respect of Imo State rescheduled Congresses which ordered for compliance with the above cited provision.
According to the statement, on account of the above cited violations of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, it prayed INEC to steer clear of monitoring the illegal rerun exercise by the APC in Benue State.
The statement warned that in an event of default, it will initiate an action to seek redress in a court of competence jurisdiction in the nearest future.
