The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Tuesday said the Anambra State governorship election would hold on November 16, this year.
This is coming as the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also called for the amendment of the party’s constitution during the forthcoming mini National Convention of the party to grant automatic ticket to President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election.
The election date, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was contained in the election timetable released by the commission in Awka Tuesday.
According to the election notice made available to journalists by INEC’s Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr. Frank Egbo, electioneering campaigns by political parties would commence on August 18.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on the Independent National Electoral commission by the Electoral Act 2010, as amended and all other powers enabling it, the commission hereby issues the time table and schedule of activities for the governorship election 2013 in Anambra State.
“Activities for the election will commence on August 13, while the ban on campaigns by political parties in public is hereby lifted with effect from August 13.
“The Anambra State governorship election will hold on November 16, and in accordance with Section 179 of the 1999 Constitution, run-off election (if any), would be held within seven days of the announcement of the result of the election,” INEC said.
Meanwhile, the move to ensure that Jonathan gets an automatic ticket was part of the resolutions reached at an extra-ordinary meeting by the leaderships of the 326 wards, local governments and the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party, which was presented to its National Working Committee (NWC) at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja Tuesday.
Chairman of Anambra State chapter of PDP, Mr. Ken Emeakayi, while briefing journalists, after the presentation which was received on behalf of the NWC by the acting National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Tony, Caesar, said the party adopted President Jonathan for the 2015 presidential race.
The party, it was gathered, also: “Recommended further amendment of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended) in the forthcoming PDP National Convention to allow for the right of first refusal (automatic ticket) as PDP candidates, to serving and performing PDP, president, governors, national and state assembly members, to reduce infighting associated with our party primary elections.”
The party said by the amendment of the PDP constitution, to include the right of first refusal, it would automatically give President Jonathan the party’s presidential ticket at an affirmation national convention.
Based on this, the party stated that it was also seeking for automatic tickets for all “performing” PDP governors, members of the national and state assemblies as a way to reduce friction in the run up to the elections.
Emeakayi said the state chapter had resolved “that we urge President Jonathan to accept to contest for a second term and we hereby adopt him as our candidate for the 2015 presidential elections."
The state chapter of PDP also threw its weight behind the former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, to be return to the post as the only candidate from Anambra State to which the post is zoned.
The Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih and a group known as the PDP Democrats have been championing the right of first refusal to enable President Jonathan emerge as presidential candidate without presidential primary election.
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