Ezekwesili can’t withdraw from presidential race now — INEC


The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it isimpossible for any candidate at this stage to withdraw from the February 16 presidential election.

Spokesman of the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated this in reaction to the statement issued by the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) presidential candidate, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, announcing her decision to withdraw from the race.

The former Minister of Education, who had earlier yesterday formally disclosed her withdrawal from the presidential election, said she was withdrawing to help form a coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the general elections.

Dismissing her withdrawal, the INEC said it was breach of its guidelines which had provided specific timetable for candidates whose names were submitted by their parties to withdraw from the polls.

The commission said its timetable for the election clearly indicates that the last day for withdrawal by candidates or replacement of withdrawn candidates by political parties for the presidential and National Assembly elections was November 17, 2018

“It is impossible for any presidential candidate to withdraw from the race now. Therefore, the deadline for Ezekwesili or any candidate in that category to withdraw or be replaced has passed,” he said.

INEC also said Ezekwesili’s withdrawal has changed nothing as her party and name would still appear on the ballot.

“Her party will appear, her passport will appear and her name will appear. So it doesn’t change anything as as far as we are concerned,” Mr Oyekanmi.

Meanwhile, the party leadership led by the national chairman, who was her running mate, Gani Galadima, have disowned her and announced they would be joining the campaign for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
Tallen urges female politicians to emulate Buhari’s political perseverance

A former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has urged female candidates contesting for different political positions to emulate the political perseverance of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tallen stated this in Keffi, at a Capacity Strengthening and Training for Female Candidates of Nasarawa State, organised by the Association for the Advancement of Women In Nigeria (ASSAWIN) in collaboration with UN Women and Afri Foundation, in Keffi.

She enjoined female candidates not to be discouraged if they lost elections because Buhari contested and lost three times, not until the fourth time before he won.

“If the President gave up when he contested and lost the elections three times, he would not have won in 2015.

“I urge female candidates not to give up in the struggle, if you win election, try to fulfill all your campaign promises and if otherwise, thank your people and continue with the struggle,” she admonished.

Tallen stressed the need for women politicians to correct the ills of the society by doing the right thing and standing on the path of truth.”

She warned women politicians against violence before, during and after elections, saying they should avoid anything that would tarnish their image; and consequently destroy society’s confidence in them.

Tallen, however, expressed confidence that Buhari would give more political positions to women in his second term as he promised, saying “he is a man of his words.’’

The Executive Director, ASSAWIN Aisha Babangida, said the aim of the training was to support and strengthen the capacities of women who won primary elections and were ready to contest for the main polls.

Babangida said that the training would guide female candidates on public speech, how to address the media, and the art of effective communication during campaigns.

She expressed optimism that the training would enhance confidence of female candidates to face campaigns and elections.

Former Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochepke, explained that the training was for female candidates, who clinched the tickets to contest for the House of Representatives and state assembly in Nasarawa State.

Ochepke said the training would enable the participants gain some skills that would help them to improve on their campaign strategies and prepare them for victory or loss.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs Angelina Them, candidate for Akwanga North in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, the organisers for the initiative saying the training was apt. (NAN)

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