INEC Permits Resumption Of Political Campaigns

The Independent National Electoral Commission has permitted the resumption of campaign activities by political parties.

In a statement signed by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, the electoral body said it approved that campaigns can resume.

“In the meanwhile, after consultation with the political parties, the Commission has approved that campaigns by parties and candidates can resume forthwith to end by midnight of Thursday, 21st February 2019.”

Campaigns were put on hold a day before the election scheduled for February 16. However, the election was postponed by INEC, few hours before Nigerians were to cast their vote. The Commission cited logistical issues as the reason for the postponement of the election to February 23.

Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, after the announcement of the postponement of the general elections, told stakeholders that political campaigns would remain closed.

The All Progressives Congress Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, insisted in a party caucus meeting on Monday that the party will continue with its campaign according to the law.

He said INEC’s pronouncement in the stakeholders meeting cannot “supercede the provision of the Electoral Act which permits political parties to go on campaign 24 hours to the commencement of the general election.”