We won’t extend submission of Governorship, State Assembly candidates lists -INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will not extend the date for submission of lists of candidates for governorship and House of Assembly by political parties.

According to the Commission’s timetable, submission of names of candidates closed on Friday night.

This was confirmed by INEC’s Director of Voters Education & Publicity, Mr. Uzzi Oluwole Ozaze in a telephone interview.

As at 6.30pm Friday, source at the submission centre located within the International Conference Centre, Abuja confirmed that major political parties including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Labour Party have completed process of submission.

An official of the Commission who spoke on condition of anonymity, said 38 of the 89 parties have completed submission as at 6.30pm, while majority of the party had their submission in progress as they still have list of some states to submit.

The United Progressives Party (UPP) fielded governorship candidates in just 18 states while it submitted 179 names for the of House of Assembly seats.

The national chairman of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), Shittu Mohammed Kabir said INEC gave a long time for the parties to comply.

” I want to commend the INEC for having this type of timetable that has helped the parties, helped the country.

He said the process was peaceful, smooth, and well organized.

“We have governors, which is 17 states. We are contesting in 17 states “, he said

Waiting to submit their lists at the time of filing this report include the Green Party, KOWA Party and Accord Party.