Exclusion of PDP from Bayelsa guber race by INEC is Illegal – Baraje

AS the controversy surrounding the gubernatorial candidature of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bayelsa State rages on, the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, yesterday faulted the recent non inclusion of the party’s candidate in the INEC list saying the action was illegal.

Fielding questions from State House correspondents, the PDP Chairman declared that the action of INEC is in sharp contrast with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act.

“Section 33 of the Electoral Act is very clear. So, we have pointed that out to INEC that we have done our primaries and this is to the know of INEC. We have come out successfully with our candidate, we have made the necessary submissions and INEC acknowledged our submissions that time. So, for them to have said that we are in court, therefore, they will not include our candidate is against the law”, he said.

Alhaji Baraje argued that “the Electoral Law forbids anybody including INEC, individuals, any group or anybody to have a say in the election processes of any political party, including the primaries”.
According to him, must have acted in error but express optimism that in no distance time the decision would be reverted; stressing that “ I am sure, it will be corrected very, very soon”.

Asked if the PDP could seek legal redress in absence of reversal by INEC, he said “I told you what we have done. It does not have to go to court. INEC will correct it very soon, INEC is headed by a very law abiding citizen. Prof. Jega Is a very articulate and law abiding citizen, a due process man and so he will look at law as we pointed it out to him and he will correct it. we do not have to go to court”.

Speaking further on the ranging controversy and legal battle , the PDP boss “that case has no bearing with what is on the ground now. It has no bearing at all. Ok? And even if there is a case in court, it does not stop any process. There is no judgment yet. Or is there any judgment”? (Vanguard)