The opposition political parties in Kwara state appealed to the State Independent Electoral Commission, KWSIEC, to postpone the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for October 4, 2013 till a further date.
It claimed that this would enable its candidates who are willing to partake in the exercise prepare while it will also avail their teeming supporters get fully registered into the new party.
Some selected chieftains of the All Progressive Party, APC, in a letter addressed to the KWSIEC chairman a copy made available to Nigerian Pilot correspondent urged the agency to consider their plights.
According to the letter, “In anticipation of the closing date for the submissions of Nominations forms to KWSIEC by both chairmen and councilors aspirants, we as representatives of all aspirants under All progressive Congress, APC, wish to strongly appeal to you in the interest of fair play and in the true meaning of democracy to shift forward the forthcoming Local Government Election in the State so as to afford us the opportunity of participation.
“We have no doubt that your commission are not unaware of the fact that defunct ACN, CPC and ANPP Coalesce to form. As at 28th day of May, 2013 when your commission issued 150 days notice of the L.G Election to different party officials and stake holders, All Progressive Congress (APC) has not come into existence.
“This in essence means that unlike other parties that had adequate notice to prepare. All progressive Congress, APC, had no notice at all, and which notice is not a formality but fundamental steps towards the conduct of a credible, free and fair election. This in no doubt is in conflict and inconsistent with the requirement of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). By your commission’s timetable the collection of nomination forms (KWSIEC 007 and KWSIEC 008) by political party has not collect nominations forms which mean it cannot sponsor candidates in the forth coming Local Government election.”
APC further maintained that the fundamental question that agitates the mind of fair minded individuals in the state of harmony today is, how will the conduct of Local Government Election in accordance with the present timetable issued by your commission will not disqualify, incapacitate and violates the right of those individuals who would have contest the said election under the defunct ACN, CPC and ANNPP but due to no fault of theirs now found themselves in the newly registered party which cannot, due to certain formalities to be met, sponsor candidate in the said election.
“We therefore passionately appeal to your commission to postpone the local Government election so as to allow all interested parties to participate in the said election. To do otherwise will amounts to a violation of our inalienable rights under the Nigerian Constitution which we tend to believe your commission will avoid doing.”