With respect to the recently signed electoral act which stipulates that any political appointee seeking for an elective office must resign latest 30 days to the conduct of the primaries, governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has directed his political appointees and public office holders eyeing political office to resign by April 14.
The directive was contained in a memo dated April 11, 2022 and signed by Catherine Odu, secretary to the state government.
According to the memo, the decision was taken based on the provision of section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022.
“As you are aware, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari has signed the amended Electoral Bill into Law and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released guidelines on the conduct of the impending general election, thereby signaling the commencement of intense political activities both at the Federal and State levels,” the document reads.
“Consequently and in line with the provisions of S.84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, political and public office holders desirous of participating in political process, either as a contestant for elective position or as delegate should resign their appointment on or before Thursday, 14th April, 2022.
“This is for your information and strict compliance.”
Section 84(12) of the electoral act 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.”
