The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) in Enugu state has withdrawn the gubernatorial
candidate list released on February 7. The state resident electoral
commissioner, Josiah Uwazuruonye, told the News Agency of Nigeria that
the withdrawal was as a result of a directive from the INEC
headquarters. According to him, the National Commissioner, Legal
Affairs, Philip Umeadi said that the list was released in error because
of some pending court injunctions and judgments. “The National
Commissioner directed that we should withdraw the list, we don’t have a
choice than to comply,” Mr. Uwazuruonye said.
He also said that the list will be
subject to the outcome of the court ruling. On the issue of altering
the list, he said that the electoral body has nothing to do with the
list as it is entirely a party affair.
“If Mr. A is party A’s candidate, they should tell the court so that
the court will in turn uphold it and relay it to INEC,” he said. The
list posted on Monday was removed in the early hours of Tuesday.
Incumbent governor, Sullivan Chime was among 10 candidates who made the
list released on Monday. A Court ruling two weeks ago ordered INEC not
to recognise him as the PDP’s candidate
