The new guidelines released by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have stipulated that all political appointees who aspire to participate in its primary elections at all levels must resign at least 30 days before the conduct of the primaries.
The new guideline automatically leaves some of President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointees like
Transportation Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his Labour counterpart, Chris Ngige,
who are gunning for the 2023 presidency, with just three days to resign or forget their ambitions.
However, This is in consideration of the fact that the APC primary election for the presidency,
according to the ruling party’s timetable is on schedule between May 30 and June 1.
By implication, the new guidelines have also put paid to the ambitions of other aspirants for different
elective positions who have not resigned from their appointments as of April 25.
More on the New APC Guidelines
Governorship, Senate, federal, and state Assembly primary elections to select APC candidates for
the general elections, according to the party’s timetable, will hold between May 18 and 23, meaning
that appointees for such positions who are yet to resign are to lose whatever was left of
their chances to contest in the primaries.
Also, an official of the party who asked to be anonymous, confirmed the development. He said presidential aspirants still occupying various appointive positions have up till the 30th of this month
to resign their positions.
The official further explained that governorship aspirants occupying appointive positions who have not
resigned before the 18th of this month are ineligible to vie for the governorship of their respective states.
He Said…
“For those aspiring for presidential primaries, they have just four days from today (Tuesday) to step down
because the Electoral Act stipulates that they must do so 30 days to the presidential primary on May 30.
“Those angling for the governorship who have not done so are out of it because the governorship
primaries are scheduled to hold on the 18th of next month. This is in line with laid down rules and regulations,” he stated.
With this new guideline and stipulated time frame for resignation, the Minister of Justice and
Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, according to report who has interest in the
governorship position of his home state of Kebbi, no longer has a chance, as the new guideline
has effectively canceled his ambition.
Section 3(i) of the APC final guidelines for the conduct of primaries, states: “No political appointee at any
level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for the purpose of the nomination of candidates.
Any political office holder interested in contesting for an elective office shall leave office 30 days prior
to the date of election or party primary for the office sought.”
By Taiyelolu A
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