Ekiti Guber: INEC Releases Final List of Candidates

Chuks Okocha

In compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday published the final list of candidates for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ekiti State following the close of nominations by political parties.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye, made these known in a statement.

The list contained the name of the APC candidate, Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji and his running mate, Afuye Monisade; the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabisi Kolawole and the running mate, Kolapo Olugbenga; the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has Elebute Josephine Kemi as its candidate and the Action Peoples Party has Christian Modupe Olatawura, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has former governor of the state, Olusegun Oni as its candidate. The list also has 13 other candidates.

The publication of the list came after the commission had on 16th February 2022, published the personal particulars and list of candidates (Form EC9) for the Ekiti State Governorship election in its State and Local Government offices as required by law.

Okoye said the Commission, “wishes to remind political parties that under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, any party that observes that the name of its candidate is missing from the list “shall notify the Commission in writing, signed by its National Chairman and Secretary, supported with an affidavit not later than 90 days to the election.”

He further drew the attention of parties to Section 32(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which provides that failure to notify the Commission, “shall not be ground to invalidate the election.”

He said, “The final list is published in our State and Local Government offices in Ekiti State as well as our website and social media platforms for public information as required by law.”

Political parties were however enjoined to note the provision of the law for compliance.