The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insists on its position that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not be fielding candidates in next month general elections in Zamfara state.
In a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, INEC maintained that the ruling party would be excluded from the exercise, despite recent court judgments which it described as conflicting and misleading.
It read in part: “The Commission reviewed the situation concerning the All Progressives Congress (APC) fielding candidates for the Governorship and State Assembly elections in Zamfara State.
The Commission noted that there are two court judgements on the matter – one from a State High Court in Gusau and the other from a Federal High Court in Abuja. The former judgement clearly said that the APC conducted primaries in Zamfara State, contrary to the position of the Commission.
On the other hand, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the party did not conduct valid primaries and therefore is ineligible to field candidates for the elections.
