The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in
Kwara, Malam Athairu Madami has declared that
the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) did not make any mistake in listing Gov.
Abdulfatah Ahmed as PDP candidate for Kwara
South Senatorial district election.
Madami told Newsmen in his office on Tuesday
that Ahmed’s name could not be substituted for
another person because he did not apply within
the stipulated time.
NAN reports that the Governor said on Monday
that the Electoral body made a mistake in leaving
his name as the Senatorial candidate because he
duly applied for the substitution of his name with
that of Sen Rafiu Ibrahim.
According to the REC, deadline for substitution
and replacement of names expired on Nov 17,
2018, adding that Ahmed sent his application on
Dec 3, 2018.
He said INEC wrote to the governor on Dec 31,
2018 rejecting his application on the ground that
it was written after the deadline.
“Ahmed remains the candidate of the PDP for
Kwara South Senatorial election, his name is duly
registered in the form as the candidate of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
NAN reports that a letter dated Dec 19, 2018 with
reference N0: INEC/LEG/PP/19/243 signed by Mrs
Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC Secretary to the
national headquarters of the PDP conveyed the
rejection of the substitution of Ahmed’s name.
Part of the letter reads: Please note that
withdrawal/substitution of candidate closed on
17th November 2018 in accordance with the
timetable and schedule of activities for the 2019
General elections.
“Consequent upon the above, the Commission
regrets to inform you that the withdrawal and
substitution by your party is clearly outside the
timeline and therefore cannot accede to your
request,â€
According to the REC, the expiration of the
timeline for substitution fell on the day of the
bye-election in Oke-Ero, Irepodun, Ekiti and Isin
Federal Constituency.
He said it was aftermath of the defeat of the PDP
at the bye-election that necessitated the
substitution of Ahmed’s name with that of the
incumbent senator, which he said was already
late.
Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/inec-
insists-gov-ahmed-remains-pdp-candidate-for-
kwara-south/
