Hours after ACPN candidate Oby Ezekwesili announced that she will be stepping down as the Presidential candidate of the ACPN, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a statement rejecting her withdrawal.
INEC in its reaction said it is too late for any candidate to withdraw from contesting any position in the upcoming elections.
Professor Ezekwesili announced her withdrawal on Thursday, saying she wanted to give room for a coalition against candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Her decision to step down seemed to have caused some rancour within her party, leading to the party issuing a statement where it disowned her and even backed President Buhari of the All Progressives Congress- APC. If your missed the initial story, read here: Just In: ACPN Disowns Oby Ezekwesili, Declares Support for Buhari.
But reacting via a statement, Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, said November 17 was the last date for withdrawal.
“It is impossible for any presidential candidate to withdraw from the race now. According to the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Elections, the last day for withdrawal by candidates or replacement of withdrawn candidates by political parties was 17th November 2018 for Presidential and National Assembly Elections.
“The deadline for Ezekwesili or any candidate in that category to withdraw or be replaced has passed,” the statement read.
