As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed June 18, 2022, for the conduct of the Ekiti State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party has rescheduled the governorship primary to January 26.
Newsflash Nigeria had reported that the PDP had earlier fixed January 28 for the party governorship primary in Ekiti State but the party rescheduled primary to January 26 due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Party also shifted the date of the election of ward congresses to elect the three-man ad-hoc delegates from Friday, January 7, 2022, to Saturday, January 15, 2022.
The local government congresses to elect one National Delegates, as well as one person living with disability from each local government area in the state, has been rescheduled from Saturday, January 15, 2022, to Saturday, January 22, 2022
A statement on Tuesday by the party National Working Committee (NWC) said the election of ward congresses to elect the three-man ad-hoc delegates to Saturday, January 15, 2022, while the local government congresses to elect one National Delegates, as well as one person living with disability from each local government area in the state, has been scheduled to hold on Saturday, January 22, 2022.
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According to a letter issued by the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, titled: “Re: NOTICE OF PARTY PRIMARY FOR EKITI STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2022”, which was addressed to the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on January 4, 2022, PDP stated about the adjustment timetable for the governorship primary and ward congress, LG and State congresses.
The letter from the PDP notifying INEC of the new dates stated: “Please refer to our earlier letter with reference No: PDP/DOM CF. 2/VolIc/21-102, dated Tuesday, September 1, 2021, in which we informed the commission of our timetable and schedule of activities for the upcoming Ekiti State 2022 governorship election.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are complied to adjust out timetable, the new dates are as follows:
(1) Ward Congresses
Activities: To elect new 3 man Ad-Hoc ward delegates
Date: Saturday, January 15, 2022.
(2) Local Government Area Congresses:
Activities: To elect one National delegate and one person living with disability per LGA
Date: Saturday, January 22, 2022.
(3) State Congress
Activities: To elect Guber Gubernatorial Candidate (Candidate Nomination).
Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2022.
According to the INEC timetable and schedule of activities for Ekiti State governorship election” dated 10 June 2021 and signed by INEC Secretary, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the conduct of the party primaries is between January 4 to January 29, 2022.
“The tenure of the Governor of Ekiti State will expire on the 15th October 2022.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 178 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 25 (7) and (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), the earliest date for the election into the office of the Governor, Ekiti State, shall be the 18 May 2022 and the latest date for the Election shall be 17 September 2022.”
“By virtue of the provisions of Section 178 (2) of the Constitution and Section 25 (8) of the Electoral Act, Election into the office of a State Governor shall hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.
“The Commission is by virtue of Section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act, expected to issue Notice of the election not later than 90 days before the date of the Election.
“This is in the exercise of the powers conferred on INEC by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1959 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf,” the notice read in parts.
No fewer than 1,951 delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may likely participate in the governorship primary election.
