…CUPP directs members to resume campaigns
By: Admin
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has given indications that the party may not obey directives by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to reopen campaign, saying the directive was against the laws of the land.
Oshiomhole contended that the electoral management body does not have the power of making laws and cannot on its own amend the law by asking parties not to campaign after shifting the election.
He said the APC and its members nationwide will continue in their campaign till Thursday this week as provided for by the Electoral Act and will be prepared to meet the commission in court.
He also accused the commission of failing to take concrete action against some of its officials accused of taking side with certain political parties.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has directed all its
members to resume campaigns following the postponement of the elections by
the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
INEC had on February 16, 2019, postponed the Presidential and National
Assembly elections to February 23, 2019.
CUPP in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, he
said the decision was based on the Electoral Acts which stipulates that
Campaigns should end 24 hours before the elections.
The Statement reads:
“In view of the provisions of the Section 99 of the Electoral Act , the
over 51 Member parties of the Coalition of United Political Parties(CUPP)
hereby directs all members to return to the campaigns fields and
recommence campaigns and end by midnight of Thursday 21st February, 2019
as required by Law.
“Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act provides that public campaigns shall
end 24 hours prior to the day of Polling.
It is therefore wrong to expect that political parties will stop campaigns
on 14th February for Polls that will open on 23rd February.
It is unlawful and statutorily wrong to curtail the clear intendment of
this Section of the Electoral Act which is clear and unambiguous.
“Campaigning until 24 hours prior to the day of polling is a statutory
right of parties and cannot be taken away, curtailed or abridged by any
executive fiat. INEC cannot on its own accord limit the period of
campaigns as it is regulated by law.
“Member parties are hereby directed to continue campaigns from tomorrow
and focus on voter remobilization and ensure that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is
elected and declared winner of the Presidential election.
