Zamfara State All Progressives Congress (APC) has been banned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from fielding candidates for all elective positions in the 2019 general elections.
The decision by INEC is coming after APC failed to meet the October 7th, 2018 deadline earlier issued to all Political parties by the Commission for conducting primaries to elect candidates for the 2019 elections.
INEC on Tuesday wrote to the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to notify him of the decision that has been taken on APC Zamfara State.
The Zamfara State chapter of the APC unlike other states under the ruling party failed to beat INEC deadline of conducting primaries as the power tussle between Governor Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Kabiru Marafa saw the party structure descended into serious crisis as political camps fought bitter and violent battles as they jostled to produce candidates for positions.
According to reports, Governor Yari is alleged to have imposed Mukhtar Idris, the state commissioner of finance, as the APC Governorship candidate, while Senator Marafa who is also eyeing the Governorship seat, has described the move by the Governor as dictatorial, high handedness towards other members of the party.
The APC electoral committee panel sent to the Zamfara state had earlier announced to the world as to how they were unable to organize primaries in the state.
INEC report to APC Chairman Mr. Oshiomhole said:
“Please refer to the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Elections released by the Commission on 9th January 2018. You would note from the Timetable that the conduct of party primaries is scheduled to take place between 18th August and 7th October 2018.
“Kindly also refer to the last schedule communicated by your party to the commission on the dates of party primaries nationwide, including Zamfara vide your letter Ref. APC/NHDQ/ INEC/19/18/51 dated 3rd Oct. 2018.
“However, report received from our office in Zamfara State shows that no primaries were conducted by your party in the state, Notwithstanding that our officials were fully mobilized and deployed.”
INEC said based on the provisions of Section 87 and 31 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), “the commission does not expect that your party will submit names of any candidates from Zamfara State.
“For clarity, our position is that the All Progressives Congress (APC), will not be fielding candidates for the governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly Elections in Zamfara state for 2019 for the general elections.”
The letter was signed by the acting secretary of the commission, Okechukwu Ndeche.
This decision will put to rest the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who had earlier asked INEC not to bend the rules for APC in Zamfara following the disaster caused by few alleged power-drunk politicians.