INEC to Ezekwesili: It is too late to withdraw your candidacy – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday rejected the withdrawal of the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili, from the race.

Ezekwesili had in the early hours of Thursday announced her withdrawal from the presidential race.

Reacting to the development, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said it is too late for any candidate to withdraw from the race.

Oyekanmi, in a statement on Thursday, said: “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and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Elections, the last day for withdrawal by candidates or replacement of withdrawn candidates by political parties was 17th November, 2018 for Presidential and National Assembly Elections.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.”

Section 35 of the electoral act, which gives deadline from withdrawal from any election, states: “A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice in writing signed by him and delivered by himself to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the Commission not later than 45 clays to the election.”