The All Progressives Congress, APC, on Thursday, barred political appointees from voting at its Saturday’s national convention.
The party made this known on Thursday in a statement titled, ‘Attention to political office holders who were elected as delegates’.
The statement reads “The National Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of APC has declared that all political appointees who were elected as delegates to the National Convention slated for 26/3/2022 SHALL NOT VOTE in view of the controversy surrounding Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act,2022.
“However, political appointees can still attend as observers.”
Recall that Section 84(10) of the Electoral Act specifically reads, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”
Senate had also unanimously rejected Electoral Act Amendment Bill sent by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari had in the bill asked the National Assembly to amend Section 84(10) of the Act to allow political appointees to contest and participate in the primaries without resigning.
President Buhari’s ministers who are said to be planning to run for different offices include the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who is said to be eyeing the Kebbi State governorship seat; the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who is believed to be planning to contest the governorship of Katsina State; the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who is rumoured to be eyeing the Presidency are affected by the section of the Electoral Act.
