Advocacy group appeals to APC, INEC to uphold Ondo NASS primaries

THE United Advocacy Group (UAG) has called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold due process, the rule of law and the principles of fair hearing in resolving disputes arising from the party’s National Assembly primary elections in Ondo State.

The group warned against any attempt to substitute candidates who emerged from the primaries without strictly complying with the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the APC’s internal guidelines.

This was contained in a statement signed by the group’s Coordinator, Samuel Ajayi, who expressed concern over reports of a letter allegedly issued under the signature of the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, directing the substitution of candidates who emerged from the Ondo State National Assembly primary elections and whose names had reportedly been uploaded to the INEC portal.

Ajayi noted that the development had generated widespread concern and raised fundamental questions about due process, internal party democracy and compliance with the Electoral Act.

He urged the APC leadership to ensure that no candidate who emerged from the primary elections is substituted without being accorded a fair hearing, warning that any action taken in violation of constitutional and electoral provisions could undermine internal party democracy.

He said, “The APC Constitution does not expressly dispense with the requirement of notice or fair hearing in the determination of disputes arising from party primaries.

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“Consequently, any Appeal Committee is bound to conduct its proceedings in accordance with the principles of natural justice and fair hearing.”

According to him, any appeal challenging the outcome of a party primary should involve the petitioner, the declared winner and members of the primary election committee, who should present official records, including result sheets, delegate registers and other relevant materials before any recommendation is made.

He argued further that reports prepared by INEC officials who monitored the primaries, as well as reports from security agencies deployed during the exercise, constitute critical independent evidence in determining the credibility of the process.

Appealing to INEC, the group urged the electoral umpire to remain steadfast in protecting the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

“Our position is that INEC should remain firm in upholding the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the rule of law. Public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process depends on the consistent application of these legal principles without fear or favour,” he said.