Poster boys of the Progressives Congress APC, and many other political appointees have been barred from voting of being voted for at tomorrow’s convention of the party.
According to a press statement issued by the party on Thursday, titled, ‘Attention to political office holders who were elected as delegates’. It read, “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 Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act,2022
Section 84(10) of the 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.”
A lawyer and a member of the Action Alliance party, Nduka Edede, had approached a Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia on the matter – in a suit marked FHC/MU/SC/26/2022, with the Attorney General of the Federation as the defendant.
The plaintiff asked the court to determine whether Section 84(12), when read together with Sections 66(1)(f) 107(1)(f)(137(1)(f) and 182(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution, was not inconsistent.
Justice Evelyn Anyadike, while delivering her judgement nullified Section 84(12) of the newly amended Electoral Act, declared that it violated the provisions of the Constitution.
According to her, the section was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void, and of no effect whatsoever, saying it ought to have been struck out.
Almost immediately after the judgement was delivered, the Office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice announced Federal Government’s plans to implement the court judgement allowing political appointees to run for office without resigning.
Some of the President’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.
Others who are said to have political ambitions include the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba , amongst others.
The Senate resolved On Wednesday, March 23, to appeal the judgement by the Federal High Court in Umuahia, nullifying the provision of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022.