INEC Chairman Yakubu Urges Political Parties to Avoid Conflicting Primaries

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has once again called on political parties to avoid situations that lead to the conduct of parallel primaries and the emergence of multiple candidates.

During the first regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja on Tuesday, Yakubu emphasized that frequent changes in the primaries are not only disruptive but also costly.

He added that the commission cannot mobilize, de-mobilize, and re-mobilize its officials for the monitoring of party primaries for the convenience of political parties.

The situation has led to unnecessary litigations, as seen in the lead-up to the Edo State Governorship Election.

Several political parties have held parallel primaries to nominate their candidate, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) producing Monday Okpebholo as its candidate after resolving a conflict involving four other individuals claiming the party’s ticket.

Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared Asue Ighodalo as its candidate, but the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, also claimed to be the party’s nominee.

Yakubu’s call for political parties to avoid conflicting primaries is aimed at ensuring a smoother electoral process and reducing the burden on the electoral commission.

As the Edo and Ondo off-cycle governorship elections approach, it remains to be seen if the political parties will heed the INEC chairman’s advice and work towards a more streamlined and efficient primary process.