The
Action Alliance (AA) governorship candidate in the 14 July, 2012
governorship election in Edo State, southsouth Nigeria, Ishaka Paul
Ofemile, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
to reverse its decision disqualifying him from the election or face a
legal action.
Ofemile’s disqualification by INEC, it was learnt,
was sequel to the late submission of forms CF 001B and CF 002B by his
party allegedly caused by logistics problems.
He however urged INEC to grant him waiver on the late submission of the forms.
While
addressing journalists on Sunday at the NUJ Press Centre, in Benin
City, the candidate who said he learnt about his disqualification over
AIT and NTA network news last Thursday, said the forms arrived INEC
Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 15 May, 2012, 24 hours after the
closure date.
While lamenting the colossal loss of fund spent on
neck-breaking campaign/rallies in preparation for the election that
produced his candidacy, he added “I am qualified for the election under
any known law or condition set by INEC, except that my INEC forms CF
001B and CF 002B reached INEC Abuja on the morning of Tuesday 15 May,
2012; instead of Monday 14 May, 2012.
“The primaries in which I
was elected as Action Alliance Governorship Candidate was done on
Saturday 12 May, 2012, and was monitored by INEC headquarters staff in
Benin City. Its Abuja office cannot therefore deny knowing me. INEC was
promptly notified in writing with the original copy of Action Alliance
for Edo state July 14, 2012 election dated 12 May 2012,” said the
governorship hopeful.
Ofemile therefore gave INEC a 72-hour
ultimatum, beginning from Friday May 25 for it to clear him for the
election, adding that his disqualification was an afterthought.
“I
see the said disqualification as an attempt to ruin my political life
after the waiver of continuous voters’ registration in Edo State for the
Action Congress of Nigeria and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; and I reject
it,” he added.
By Jethro Ibileke/Benin City
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