Too Late to Throw in The Towel, INEC Tells Oby Ezekwesili

The Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, candidate, Oby Ezekwesili, who last Thursday withdrew her candidature from the forthcoming presidential election to support a coalition instituted to take down the ruling APC party, has been told by INEC that it is too late for her to throw in the towel in the 2019 election race.

In INEC’s reaction to Oby Ezekwesili’s reported withdrawal from the February 2019 presidential election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is too late for any candidate to withdraw from contesting any position in the upcoming elections.

INEC’s chief secretary to the chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said November 17 was the last date for withdrawal. According to him

“It is impossible for any presidential candidate to withdraw from the race now. According to the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Election, the last day for withdrawal by candidates or replacement of withdrawn candidates by political parties was 17th November, 2018 for Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

“The deadline for Ezekwesili or any candidate in that category to withdraw or be replaced has passed.”

Recall that Section 35 of the electoral act, that stipulates the deadline for withdrawal from any election, says:

“A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice in writing signed by him and delivered by himself to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the Commission not later than 45 days to the election.”