PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by masterdre: 2:07pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in a ridiculing tone, Tuesday, said the newly formed All Progressives Congress, APC, is an illusion and its leaders ‘politically naïve’. The ruling party lambasted the APC leaders saying they left out something as basic as registering their name and that their APC will not exist, as the acronym has already been taken. Get the full story at: http:///OYk6t |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by jmaine: 2:10pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
Oga OP, your news source no dey open . . |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by PointB: 2:31pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
^^^ Permit me to assist you my friend: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/124294-pdp-mocks-apc-says-it-cant-register-party-yet-wants-to-rule-nigeria.html P[b]DP mocks APC, says it can’t register party, yet wants to rule Nigeria[/b] Sani Tukur Published: March 12,2013
PDP says APC has leaders that are arrogant, thoughtless and visionless.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in a ridiculing tone, Tuesday, said the newly formed All Progressives Congress, APC, is an illusion and its leaders ‘politically naïve’.
The ruling party lambasted the APC leaders saying they left out something as basic as registering their name and that their APC will not exist, as the acronym has already been taken.
The ruling party described the APC’s publicity as “the hallmark of political naivety, painlessness and a foreboding that the Party will drive Nigeria to socio-political and economic brink should it be entrusted with power”.
The party also chastised the leadership of the new party for failing to “dully reserve or register the proposed name of their party before embarking on bleeping jamboree and propaganda”.
The statement
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, the party said the reality on the ground has shown that the leaders of the APC have been grandstanding while “the first chapter of their history was yet to be successfully written”.
“Nigerians are here confronted with an irony! It is an irony of a political party who without adequate planning, without a solid working rhythm, yet wishes to be entrusted to its effete, shaky shoulders, the fate of over One Hundred and Sixty Million Nigerians,” Mr. Metuh said in the statement.
“How can a group who could not conclude the basic as in due registration of its name be able to manage the affairs of Nigeria at this moment of critical challenge.”
The PDP said the parties that formed the APC have displayed their penchant for arrogance and deceit.
It accused members of the new party of lying when it claimed that some PDP governors and National Assembly members were planning to join them.
“How can a politician worth his onions leave a known, formidable and nationwide political party for a disparate and unregistered amalgam?” the party asked. “This false claim is also a window into the minds of the leaders of the coalition. The summary is that they are waiting for decampees from the PDP to build their party, perhaps, register it for them. What an illusion! What a self delusion!”
INEC’s stance
Kayode Idowu, the spokesperson of Attahiru Jega, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, issued a statement last week stating that a party called the African Peoples Congress, which shares an acronym with the newly formed All Progressives Congress, has applied to INEC for registration; thereby foreclosing the possibility of registering the All Progressives congress.
This greatly angered the opposition with the individual parties that make up the All Progressives Congress threatening brimstone. The party was formed by the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC; and a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA. Already, the new party has 11 state governors, second only to the PDP.
A stalwart of the CPC and former minister of the Abuja, Nasir El-Rufai said “Any attempt not to register the APC will attract the anger of the Nigerian people. APC has become a mass movement of people who are fed up with bad governance”.
INEC’s claim, false
Also, the spokesperson of the ACN, Lai Mohammed, Tuesday, issued a statement describing the position of Mr. Idowu as a lie.
Mr. Mohammed said the claim by the electoral body as postulated by Mr. Idowu is not supported by INEC’s laws, as articulated by the relevant sections of the Electoral Act regulating the registration of a political party.
It said the truth of the matter is that no party today with the acronym APC has applied to INEC to be registered, adding that even the phantom African Peoples Congress, APC, which is being sponsored by the PDP to lay claim to the acronym – has only written a letter of intent, which has not even been discussed by INEC, not to talk of the commission taking any decision on it.
“The statement credited to Mr. Idowu is therefore reckless and provocative and clearly betrays INEC as truly having merged with the PDP to frustrate the merger of the progressives under the banner of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC). One wonders who the spokesman is speaking for and what interest he represents. He should therefore be called to order before he sets the country ablaze,” the ACN said. http://premiumtimesng.com/news/124294-pdp-mocks-apc-says-it-cant-register-party-yet-wants-to-rule-nigeria.html![](https://premiumtimesng.com/dev/wp-content/files/2013/02/PDP-NATIONAL-CONVENTION-e1360874220118-500x292.jpg) |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by PointB: 2:35pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
I'm afraid, I have to agree with PDP here.
APC leaders are bunch of jokers. They prefer to gallivant around rather than do simple things to secure their interest. If these guys (APC) cannot do even the basic stuff, how can they even begin to imagine they can lead a complex system like Nigeria.
Their incompetence in not securing party registration is gross! 3 Likes |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by jmaine: 2:39pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
How can a politician worth his onions leave a known, formidable and nationwide political party for a disparate and unregistered amalgam?” the party asked. “This false claim is also a window into the minds of the leaders of the coalition. The summary is that they are waiting for decampees from the PDP to build their party, perhaps, register it for them. What an illusion! What a self delusion!”
This part got me laughing . . . ![grin](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/grin.png) 6 Likes |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by daywatcher: 2:44pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
AP(D)C / PDP...are both taking Nigeria for fools..we want to know how many hospitals built, roads fixed, school, welfare...not this childlike tit for tat name callings |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Obiagu1(m): 2:47pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
Who will allow those nonentities to rule Nigeria? ![sad](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/sad.png) Abeg, next news. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by WilyWily6: 3:03pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
Haaahaaaahaaaaa, PDP people dey make me laugh, dey don finish Association of Perfect Criminals (APC), led by Fraudulent Yoruba Thief, Thief Ahmed Oyenusi Tunubu 1 Like |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Nobody: 3:08pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
PointB: I'm afraid, I have to agree with PDP here.
APC leaders are bunch of jokers. They prefer to gallivant around rather than do simple things to secure their interest. If these guys (APC) cannot do even the basic stuff, how can they even begin to imagine they can lead a complex system like Nigeria.
Their incompetence in not securing party registration is gross! Comrade PointB, the simple truth is that APC-APC has a much steeper hill to climb before it can meet the criteria for registration, but then you already know this. Now, since there appears to be no room for scruples in the high-wire game of politics currently playing out within the NL commentariat, I fully understand what informs your feigned indignation ![cheesy](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cheesy.png) Speaking to BBC Hausa, monitored in Abuja yesterday, a spokesman for INEC Mr. Nick Dazang said it would be difficult to register a party with a name already approved for another.
“It is true that a group applied to register as political party with the name African People’s Congress (APC). And INEC has received the application but it is yet to sit down and work on the application,” he said.
He said if All Progressive Congress comes with their request, INEC “will first of all look at the application, to find out if it meets registration requirements.
As we say, those parties who are planning for merger have a lot to do. They are going to do national convention and after that they will come with their application to INEC and it must do this within 200 days before the next elections. But if it is a new party there is no need for all this. The merging parties are yet to come to us with their request and there is need for them to come and tell INEC this is our request.”
Source
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Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Makzylopez: 3:14pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
without mincing words, Buhari and his allies should just bury their heads in shame. i knew they were unserious set of people who were busy making noise instead of strategizing. am still expecting to see a stiffer,representative and responsive opposition capable of challenging the PDP come 2015 elections. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Nobody: 3:41pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
In my opinion, INEC needs to thread very carefully in order to avoid be tarnished with the charge of partiality. It does not bode well to be accused of tele-guiding a faceless entity, whose very existence remains largely unproven, in spite of previously, heralded efforts to prune the registered political parties down from '63' to a more manageable number. A source confided in THISDAY that one of the people involved in the registration of the controversial African Peoples Congress is one Mr. Chinedu Samuel Nwokoye of Leather World Chambers with offices in Wuse, Zone 5 in Abuja.
However, at the time of filing this report, THISDAY was unable to trace the person or office said to be associated with the African Peoples Congress.
But another source in INEC confirmed to THISDAY Monday night that the commission was yet to undertake verification of claims contained in the application form of the African Peoples Congress.
The source said the commission's verification exercise will seek to establish those behind the formation of the party, its offices and all the other requirements necessary for registering a party.
It was gathered that even though the opposition leaders got wind of the plot to frustrate the registration of the coalition party before arriving at its name, they went ahead to approve its name, logo and slogan.
Irrespective, most of the leaders of the opposition coalition who spoke to THISDAY Monday expressed the belief that INEC would not do anything that would jeopardise the registration of their APC. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by badlucky: 4:12pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
Poor home work |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by WilyWily6: 4:26pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
badlucky: Poor home work Yoruba brain |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by saintneo(m): 4:48pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
This is a complete Tom & Jerry show.
Whoever created the African Peoples' Congress is a political genius.
Nevertheless, this All Progressive Congress should bury their head in shame, they should have registered this name as their trademark earlier, instead they embarked upon a trip to Borno-stan so as to attract public recognition. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Afam4evaIsASlut: 4:57pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
Sooooo..... an acronym cannot be used becauseeeeee....?.??
Nigerians are so backwards its crazy. As far as theres not another "All Progressive Congress" even 500 INECs shouldnt be enough to stop them from registering the party. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by baby124: 5:01pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
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Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Afam4evaIsASlut: 5:04pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
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Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by seunfly: 5:29pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
It is true that they should have registered the party earlier, but u have to understand that APC is an evolution that arise from processes in which everything must be done step by step. To me it is pdp that is being mischevious by playing childish politics of registering their name instead of steping up their own game positively by doing better than b4 which give peaple no choice but to vote them in again. With this kind of imature behaviour 4rm pdp i am certain we may face so many bad political tactics 4rm both side especialy pdp b4 2015 election. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by maasoap(m): 6:12pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
Yesterday, it was "it wouldn't succeed because they're driven by hungry for power". Today, it is "they can't register". And tomorrow, it will be "they can't agree on party flag bearer". BTW, I like the way devil is pushing Mr Jona. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by gbadexy(m): 6:38pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
It is not a master stroke but a childish move by the pdp. Its obvious to any simple minded person who was behind the new phantom party but it clearly shows pdp is very scared. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Nobody: 7:32pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
Soon the ACN and Lai Muhammed will release a press statement accusing PDP/GEJ of being responsible for the inability of Tinubu to defecate.
Since ACN/CPC are strategizing to cease power, shouldn't the PDP also strategize to retain power?
What happened when the group of 11 APC governors preempted the president's planned visit to Borno and Yobe? Certainly many folks on this forum didn't see anything wrong in that. Some actually praised them for being politically smart.
Therefore, the preemptive registration of the African People's Congress (APC) to frustrate the registration of All Progressive Congress (APC) is a political rough tackle which the opposition has to deal with |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by dayokanu(m): 7:34pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
^^ bros How far dem dey wait you for the details of the Presidential pardon given to Alams by Retardeen 2 Likes |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by rafindo(m): 7:58pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
comprehension is a problem in nairaland.some can not distinguishe clearly the difference btw forming a new party and merging a an existing party.merger requires national convection of all intending party in which acn,cpc nd anpp have not done here becos of existing party structure. i can form a new partu now with nairalanders before saturday,that shows how easy to form a new party is. 1 Like |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Nobody: 8:04pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
Sincere 9gerian: Soon the ACN and Lai Muhammed will release a press statement accusing PDP/GEJ of being responsible for the inability of Tinubu to defecate.
Since ACN/CPC are strategizing to cease power, shouldn't the PDP also strategize to retain power?
What happened when the group of 11 APC governors preempted the president's planned visit to Borno and Yobe? Certainly many folks on this forum didn't see anything wrong in that. Some actually praised them for being politically smart.
Therefore, the preemptive registration of the African People's Congress (APC) to frustrate the registration of All Progressive Congress (APC) is a political rough tackle which the opposition has to deal with HEY COWARD SO YOU ARE HIDING HERE? ANYWAY, THEY ARE WAITING FOR YOU IN THE OTHER THREAD TO COME AND DEFEND YOUR MASTERS DECISION OF GRANTING STATE PARDON TO ALAMESIAGHA 1 Like |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Afam4evaIsASlut: 8:36pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
lakhadimar: HEY COWARD SO YOU ARE HIDING HERE? ANYWAY, THEY ARE WAITING FOR YOU IN THE OTHER THREAD TO COME AND DEFEND YOUR MASTERS DECISION OF GRANTING STATE PARDON TO ALAMESIAGHA The Role Of Bin Laden In The War Against Terror: Is He Still A Terrorist? / Brown Vs Yaradau / Whither Yar'adua?
Nairaland Forum New Post Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / New Post (PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria)
Viewing this topic: Sincere 9gerian, chuks01(m), Afam4evaIsASlut and 1 guest(s) (Go Up) InSincere9gerian, are you that silly that you think we cant see that youre logged in? Say something jo! |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Nobody: 8:46pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
lakhadimar: HEY COWARD SO YOU ARE HIDING HERE? ANYWAY, THEY ARE WAITING FOR YOU IN THE OTHER THREAD TO COME AND DEFEND YOUR MASTERS DECISION OF GRANTING STATE PARDON TO ALAMESIAGHA I'm mostly for tangible things, not intangibles. I dont like the decision but those who took the decision have their reasons. By the way, how does whether or not Alams and co are pardoned affect the delivery of second Niger Bridge or stable power? No effect whatsoever. You guys can decide to have a party over the issue but as for me, my eyes are fixed on the tangibles. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Nobody: 8:53pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
Sincere 9gerian: I'm mostly for tangible things, not intangibles. I dont like the decision but those who took the decision have their reasons.
By the way, how does whether or not Alams and co are pardoned affect the delivery of second Niger Bridge or stable power? No effect whatsoever. You guys can decide to have a party over the issue but as for me, my eyes are fixed on the tangibles. interesting! You will never be on a thread where you are needed most to defend your pay masters. smh.... |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by PointB: 9:10pm On Mar 12, 2013 |
eGuerrilla:
Comrade PointB, the simple truth is that APC-APC has a much steeper hill to climb before it can meet the criteria for registration, but then you already know this.
Now, since there appears to be no room for scruples in the high-wire game of politics currently playing out within the NL commentariat, I fully understand what informs your feigned indignation ![cheesy](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cheesy.png)
Source
Of course. I expect that APC, with the 'caliber' of people it parades know the basics of registering a party. I also believe, having attempted a merger last season, they should know the requirements expected for registering a party created as a result of merger. So it is very disappointing to see these men gallivanting around and mouthing off whereas the basic thing has not been done. Well, my people say he who brought ant infested woods home, ultimately invite lizards to a banquet. APC deserve all the derision they get on this issue. They should learn to do first thing first. The requirement is huge, but not an insurmountable one, they should get their ar/se up and earn their laurels. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Nobody: 1:02am On Mar 13, 2013 |
If only APC knows what it will take to win in 2015. Very soon, they will know that the hurried and stupid trip to Borno is like a self inflicted injury, an open invitation to all federal apparatus to work against them. How many federal employees do you think will welcome a federal government change at this time, a change that will mean a sudden loss of employment. As I see it, they are up against so many faceless people than they can actually imagine. |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by omenka(m): 6:36am On Mar 13, 2013 |
You guys should keep mocking ald laughing. Come 2016, you guys would be laughing your way to kirikiri or self imposed exile. 1 Like |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by MrGarri1: 8:26am On Mar 13, 2013 |
He who laughs last, laughs best...
*AskBarcaFans* 1 Like |
Re: PDP Mocks APC, Says It Can’t Register Party, Yet Wants To Rule Nigeria by Nobody: 8:42am On Mar 13, 2013 |
Hard to believe INEC is party to this charade... APC Registration: New Facts Cast Doubts Over Lawyer’s Identity
![](https://www.leadership.ng/nga/sites/default/files/imagecache/380x237/columnsimages/jega_inec.jpg)
The address given by the law firm that approached the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration of a new party, Legal World Chambers, belongs to another law firm that was oblivious of the development.
LEADERSHIP had yesterday exclusively published a bromide of a letter purportedly addressed to INEC by Legal World Chambers and signed by a lawyer, Barrister Nwokorie Samuel Chinedu, asking for the group to be registered as African Peoples Congress (APC).
In the said letter dated February 28, 2013, Chinedu claimed that the APC or its promoters are its clients on “whose instruction and authority” the said application letter was written.
[b]But LEADERSHIP investigation has revealed that the firm does not operate from the address purportedly indicated on the headed letter paper.
A visit by LEADERSHIP correspondents to the address -- Suite 1007, Block B, Anbeez Plaza in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja – turned dramatic as the correspondents came face to face with a different law firm boldly written on the entrance of the office -- IJEOMA DESTINY CHAMBERS.
Initially, the chambers’ secretary, a middle-aged woman, was evasive before someone who identified himself as Barrister Anyabe Imabeni eventually decided to talk. But when LEADERSHIP spoke to Imabeni, he claimed that he was the only lawyer available at the time of the visit.
According to him, there are two law firms or chambers co-habitating the same office, namely, Maji-Emmanuel & Co and Ijeoma Destiny Chambers.
But Imabeni said he could only speak for Maji-Emmanuel & Co despite the fact that both firms share the same secretary.
Disowning the existence of Legal World Chambers, Imabeni said, “We don’t know about it, we are not a party to it, we are not privy to it and I am not aware that the counsel you have mentioned is in any of our offices here and perhaps if any such arrangement existed, I know for sure that I would know but you cannot rule out any possibility, as I am speaking for only Maji-Emmanuel & Co”[/b].
When LEADERSHIP sought to know why Imabeni’s views couldn’t apply to the sister firm – Ijeoma Destiny Chambers – he emphatically maintained that he could only speak for Maji-Emmanuel & Co. Attempts to contact the principal partner or any other lawyer in Ijeoma Destiny Chambers proved abortive as they were said to have gone out and no one was in a position to speak for them or give out their phone numbers.
LEADERSHIP’s conversation with Chinedu on the phone numbers indicated on the headed letter paper turned more dramatic. The following conversation ensued on MTN line number 08164257977 indicated on the letter paper of Legal World Chambers :
LEADERSHIP: Good afternoon, sir, am I speaking with Barrister Nwokorie Samuel Chinedu of Legal World Chambers?
Chinedu: Who are you?
LEADERSHIP: I am calling from LEADERSHIP Newspapers.
Chinedu: Okay, call me back later.
About 30 minutes later, another call was placed to Chinedu on the same
number and the following conversation ensued:
LEADERSHIP: I called you earlier from LEADERSHIP Newspapers.
Chinedu: Yeah, who did you say you want to speak with?
LEADERSHIP: Barrister Nwokorie Samuel Chinedu, lawyer to African Peoples Congress.
Chinedu: My friend, this is a wrong number, you are talking to the wrong person (cuts off the conversation).
Further calls to his second line (08053957522) were not answered.
NBA to investigate identity of lawyer
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said it is embarrassed by media reports that one Barrister Nwokorie Samuel Chinedu has a different address apart from the one in a letter purportedly written to the INEC chairman seeking registration of African Peoples Congress (APC).
The lawyers’ association became worried that the said address on Chinedu’s ed letter paper in which he addressed the letter to INEC was nowhere to be found in Abuja.
When LEADERSHIP contacted the national secretary of the NBA, Mr. Emeka Obegolu, he stated that the association would probe the matter. He also demanded a formal letter so that the matter could be taken up at secretariat level for investigation.
Similarly, the NBA chairman of the Abuja branch told LEADERSHIP in an interview to do a formal letter so that it could be circulated to two other branches of the lawyers’ body in Gwagwalada and Bwari in order to investigate the matter.
INEC Lied On African Peoples Congress’ Application - ACN
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused INEC of engaging in bare-faced lies and manipulation of facts by claiming that the phantom African Peoples Congress (APC) has applied to the commission for registration.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the INEC’s claim as articulated by the spokesman for INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, is not supported by the relevant sections of the Electoral Act regulating the registration of a political party.
It said the truth of the matter is that no party today with the acronym APC has applied to INEC to be registered, adding that even the phantom African Peoples Congress - which is being sponsored by the PDP to lay claim to the acronym - has only written a letter of intent which has not even been discussed by INEC, talk more of the commission taking any decision on it.
‘’The statement credited to Mr. Idowu is therefore reckless and provocative and clearly betrays INEC as truly having merged with thePDP to frustrate the merger of the progressives under the banner of the All Progressive Congress (APC). One wonders who the spokesman is speaking for and what interest he represents. He should therefore be called to order before he sets the country ablaze,’’ ACN said.
The party said in order to debunk INEC’s claim that the phantom African Peoples Congress has applied for registration, it is calling the attention of all the good people of Nigeria to the sections of the Electoral Act that are relevant to party registration:
- Part V: Political Parties of the Electoral Act, Section 78 (1) says:”A political association that complies with the provision of the Constitution and this Act for the purposes of registration shall be registered as a political party, provided that such application shall be duly submitted to the Commission not later than 6 months before a general election.”
- Section 78 (2) says: “The Commission shall on receipt of the documents in fulfilment of the conditions stipulated by the Constitution immediately issue the applicant with a letter of acknowledgement stating that all necessary documents have been submitted to the Commission”’
ACN said: ‘’In this case the applicants on behalf of the phantom African Peoples Congress, the clients of Legal World Chambers, have not submitted any of the documents stipulated by the Constitution to the Commission. They have only written a letter of intent and therefore INEC could not have issued them any letter of acknowledgment, not to talk of starting the process of verifying the documents.
‘’At this point they cannot even be regarded as applicants. Why then did INEC through its spokesperson gleefully go to the media to proclaim that another political association has applied to be registered as African Peoples Congress using the same acronym APC?
“Clearly INEC is on a mission of mischief and its paymaster is PDP who has been having sleepless nights since the merger arrangement was announced.’’
The party further called attention to Section 78 (6) of the Electoral Act, which says: “An application for registration as a political party shall not be processed unless there is evidence of payment of administrative fee as may be fixed from time to time by the Commission”
ACN said it is aware that the applicants in question have not even paid any administrative fees and therefore INEC could not have commenced processing their application, because there is no application before INEC as they have only written a letter of intent.
It said what has emerged over the registration issue is that INEC is in cahoots with the PDP to stampede the merging parties to commit errors and also intimidate them to drop the acronym APC, adding however: ‘’This has failed because as of today in accordance with the provisions of S. 78 (2) and S. 78 (6) of the Electoral Act as explained above, there is no applicant on record for the acronym APC,contrary to the deceit being spread by the INEC spokesman. Source |