Informing the Independent National Electoral Commission, 19 political parties have given notice regarding the scheduling of their primaries for the upcoming state gubernatorial election.
Scheduled in April, the party primaries will precede the November 16, 2024 gubernatorial election date set by the commission.
Addressing political party representatives at the commission’s Akure office on Thursday, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, revealed these developments.
Among the political parties that have informed the commission are the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Accord Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, African Democratic Party, and All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Additional parties include Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, National Rescue Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Youth Party, Young Progressives Party, and Zenith Labour Party,
Asserting, “The notification from political parties regarding the governorship election primaries was received by the commission, beginning from April 6 to 27.
“This meeting is a vital platform for engaging with political parties concerning the approaching party primaries, a pivotal phase in the state’s democratic journey.”
Emphasizing the pivotal role of political parties in the successful and credible conduct of the processes, Babalola stressed the importance of strict adherence to party guidelines, rules, and regulations outlined in their constitutions, as well as all electoral laws during the upcoming primaries next month.
The REC also called upon parties to firmly establish the principle of internal democracy during their primaries to mitigate tensions, divisions, and pre-election disputes that may arise post-primaries. Parties were urged to ensure that their primaries are carried out peacefully, orderly, and transparently to uphold the credibility of the results.