The All Progressives Congress has told the Independent National Electoral Commission that it has the right to submit the list of candidates for next year’s election to the electoral umpire.
While saying it was another ball game for INEC to have rejected the list of candidates, it added that the situation in Kaduna State was not as stated by Senator Shehu Sani, who has since left the party.
Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said: “We submitted list of candidates for legislative elections in Zamfara state, if INEC did not take it, it is a different thing. We have a right to submit and INEC has the legal responsibility to receive.
“INEC cannot disqualify candidates we all know that.
“We have said clearly that whatever claims that INEC is making is not correct or a true representation of what happened and we will continue to take progressive steps to ensure that INEC does what is right.”
On Kaduna State, Issa-Onilu said: “It was the outcome of the primary, properly conducted.
“The party tried to protect its members in the national assembly for obvious reasons following what has been going on the national assembly.
“We know the carrots that had been dangled at them. We have a responsibility to ensure that we have a grip on the legislative arm of government so that we can run a smooth government. So we tried to protect our legislators.
“But the other people can only understand and accept that.
“If they say no, there is nothing the party can do. It is within their right to say we must go to the field.
“The initial effort of the party did not get the blessing of other people in that area who are also entitled to bid for positions.
“The primaries were eventually conducted, Senator Shehu Sani opted out, he relied on the earlier decision.
At the end of the day, no matter what plan you have even though you are acting on expedience, rule of law, democracy will prevail. It was democracy that prevailed in Kaduna.”
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