The All Progressives Congress in Plateau State has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rescheduling the by-election to fill the vacancy created by the death of a member-elect.
It would be recalled that Mr. Ezekiel Afon, a serving member of Plateau State House of Assembly representing Pengana State Constituency died shortly after he was re-elected.
INEC had fixed March 23, same day with the gubernatorial supplementary election, for the by-election, but later shifted on the request of APC for more time.
Chief Letep Dabang, Plateau State APC Chairman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos that the party protested the scheduling of the by- election for this Saturday.
“That is another area that we had our own disagreement with INEC.
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“Results were already concluded, winner was already declared for Pengana Constituency and the man died after the declaration.
“We were surprised that the by-election was fixed on the same day with the re-run.
“For us, a by-election has its own rules different from a re-run.
“In a by-election, you give 90 days notice for political parties to conduct their primaries,” he said.
He pointed out that by-elections are fresh elections and have different rules from re-run, which only two weeks notice is given.
“We are thankful that INEC listened to the voice of reasoning and has shifted the by-election.
“Within 90 days, they will inform us appropriately, we will go for primaries appropriately.
“That will give the people the opportunity to elect the person that will represent them on the platform of the party.
“That is what we expected and we are happy that we have been given that opportunity,” he said.
Dabang said that the party was waiting for INEC to announce the new date. (NAN)
