APC, INEC on parallel paths over letter as party denies writing electoral body to monitor NEC meeting

The All Progressives Congress, APC has described as a figment of imagination, the purported letter written to the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the need to give the Commission a 21-day notice for its national convention slated for March 26.

In the unfolding development, the ruling party said neither the new acting chairman nor the secretary wrote the electoral umpire.

The media had earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission has rejected a letter inviting it to an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress.

INEC’s response, dated 9th March 2022, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran Anthony titled, “Re: Invitation to the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee”, was said to have been addressed to the National Chairman, APC CECPC.

The Commission drew the attention of the CECPC to the fact that the letter of invitation was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC, Buni, and Senator John Akpanudoedehe, respectively.

This, it said, was contrary to the provision of Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).

“The Commission draws your attention to the fact that the notice for the meeting was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).

INEC also reminded those who wrote and signed the letter of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, “which requires ‘at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of merger and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective office.”

“Furthermore, the APC is reminded of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘merger’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective office.

It urged the ruling party to note the key issues raised for compliance.

The predecessor Chairman of the CECPC, Governor Mala Buni according to a leaked letter Thursday had duly transferred power to Governor Sani Bello of Niger State, to enable him to attend to health issues.

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Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State had indicated earlier on a private national TV program on Wednesday that Buni was pushed aside because he was working against holding the APC’s planned National Convention, a claim Buni’s letter, dated February 28, 2022, and addressed to CECPC members, countered.