2019 Election: INEC takes stand on Rivers APC, reveals next action

By: Ikenna Oluka

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken final decision on Rivers State All Progressive Congress (APC) concerning its candidates for the forthcoming general elections.

Recall that an the Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt, led by Justice Ali Gumel granted stay of Execution on the Judgement of Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court which nullified all primaries the party.

The Federal High Court had also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from fielding APC’s Candidates in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

But Barrister Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education and Publicity said that the commission had taken a position with regards to court rulings and will not field any candidate from APC at the moment.

Okoye said this on Wednesday in Abuja at an interactive meeting with journalists, The Nation reports.

He noted that the position of the commission has not changed in respect of Rivers for the National Assembly and governorship elections.

He, however, stressed that if there was a change in the situation of things, the commission will meet to review its stand.

He said “We have not repealed our position on the issue of Rivers.

“What the commission has done is that the commission has taken a position in relation to the issue of Rivers. If anything changes, we will meet as a commission and also take a decision.”