Incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, General Mohammadu Buhari, have reportedly gotten eight more presidential aspirants from other parties.
This was contained in an official list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last night, a copy obtained by The Nation.
The list showed that ten presidential candidates will be slugging it out in the February 14, 2015 presidential election.
The candidates according to the list comprised President Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), General Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a woman- Prof. Comfort Oluremi Sonaiya of Kowa Party.
Others include: Ambrose Albert ( Hope Democratic Party); Ganiyu Galadima ( Allied Congress Party of Nigeria); Rafiu Salau ( Alliance for Democracy); Godson Okoye (United Democratic Party); Dr. Nani Ibrahim Ahmad (African Democratic Congress); Martin Onovo (National Conscience Party); Tunde Anifowoshe-Kelani (Action Alliance); and Chekwas Okorie (United Progressive Party).
The list further revealed the presidential aspirants running mates to include: Vice-President Namadi Sambo (PDP); Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (APC); Haruna Shaba (Hope Democratic Party); Balarabe Ahmed (ACPN); Prof. Clinton Cliff Akuchie (AD); Haruna Adamu (United Democratic Party); Obianuju Murphy-Uzohue (African Democratic Congress); Ibrahim Mohammed (NCP); Saidu Bobboi (Kowa Party); Comrade Paul Ishaka Ofomile (Action Alliance); and Bello Umar (United Progressive Party).
Meanwhile, the submission of the names to INEC closed on December 25 and Nigerians were given a grace period of seven days to raise any objection on the particulars of the candidates, as the list of candidates and their credentials were pasted on a container kiosk at the FCT office of INEC in Abuja for claims and objections. The development, however, is in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
According to the electoral body, the bases for qualification are as specified in Sections 65′ 106, 131 and 177 of the 1999 Constitution.
Speaking on the development, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu, said the commission has complied with the law, adding that it published the list of all the presidential candidates in all the states of the Federation.
Idowu also hinted that the list for other elective offices will be published in their constituencies and senatorial districts as applicable.
The electoral agency said Nigerians are free to screen the particulars and raise issues if they think any candidate should be disqualified.
“The personal particulars are displayed in all the state and local government offices of the commission in the constituencies of the candidates. Any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that any information given by any candidate is false or that the candidate is not qualified or is disqualified from contesting the elections should notify the commission in writing within seven days of this publication,” INEC said.
The electoral body, however, listed eleven conditions under which any of the presidential candidates or other candidates can be disqualified from contesting election as seen below:
“While a person is disqualified if he or she (i) has declared allegiance to another country; (ii) has been elected to the office of President or Governor at any two previous elections; (iii) adjudged to be a lunatic or declared to be of unsound mind; (iv) is under a sentence of death or is under a sentence of imprisonment or fine for an offence involving dishonesty or fraud (v) has in the last 10 years been convicted and sentenced for an offence involving dishonesty (vi) has been found guilty of a contravention of the code of conduct; (vii) is an undischarged bankrupt; (viii) is employed in the public service and does not resign, withdraw or retire at least 30 days to the election; (ix) is a member of a secret society; (x) has been indicted for embezzlement or fraud by a Judicial Committee of Inquiry or an Administrative Panel of Inquiry or a Tribunal and which indictment has been accepted by the Federal or State Government; (xi) has presented a forged certificate to INEC.”
In a related development, a reliable source who spoke on condition of anonymity said there were strong indications on Saturday that President Jonathan has started reaching out to highly placed Emirs and some Northern leaders to counter the influence of the APC candidate, Gen. Buhari.
“The battle between Jonathan and Buhari has really shifted to the North. Jonathan is engaging in covert consultations with some prominent Emirs and leaders on why he should be given second term in office. The President, Vice-President Namadi Sambo, PDP governors, and leaders will be embarking on manoeuvring shuttles to some of these key Northern leaders for support. They are desperate to take the battle to Buhari’s stronghold,” the source said.
