The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has omitted the Social Democratic Party SDP and seven other political parties from the ballot paper of gubernatorial election in Kogi state.
The commission also noted that a total number of 23 political parties would be contesting the governorship election in the state.
The INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman, Information and Voters Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye, revealed this at a workshop on Wednesday in Lokoja the state capital.
Okoye revealed that the SDP and seven other parties were omitted because they failed to present nominees that were valid to the electoral commission.
He said “The SDP and other seven parties were not disqualified by INEC as it’s been peddled, they presented invalid nominations and so cannot participate in the election.
“The SDP, ANP, APM, APP, ASD, MRDD and UPP deputies governorship nominees presented were underaged. The constitution stated clearly that whatever affected the deputy governor also affects the governorship candidate nominees and vice versa.”
Okoye in his address however debunked the rumor making waves around the state that the SDP gubernatorial candidate was disqualified by the commission to pave way for governor Yaya Bello.
Okoye described the rumor as ‘conspiracy theorem.’
“Why was there fuse with the SDP candidate when there are other seven parties who suffered the same fate in Kogi.
“Also in Bayelsa, both the governorship and deputy governorship candidate of SDP were underaged and were affected. Why is it that it is only in Kogi the party is kicking against their rejection,” Okoye added
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