‘Independent Candidacy Not Practicable In Nigeria’

Independent candidacy recommended by the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee is not practicable in the 2011 elections, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has said.

Mr Emma Eneukwu, the ANPP National Publicity Secretary, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that independent candidacy could be practicable only where there were two or three parties.

“Independent candidate is one of the things we advocated for, but where we differ a little is that where you have about 57 political parties there is no need for an independent candidate,” he said.

NAN reports that the House of Representatives had earlier in the week approved the committee’s recommendation on independent candidacy.

The candidate, however, will have to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 90 days before the election date.

“The ANPP is not against independent candidacy, but when the person is supposed to register 90 days before the election date, we see that as a diplomatic way of denying the individual the opportunity,” he said.

According to Eneukwu, people often emerge as independent candidates when primaries in their political parties are not transparent.

“Primaries, I know, take some time. By the time the political parties are through with their primaries, the person will not have up to 90 days to register with INEC.

“So it is another way of frustrating independent candidates.

“If they want to encourage independent candidates, they should limit the period to 10 or 20 days, and not 90 days,” he said.

On the N500,000 fine payable by any political party that presents unqualified candidate to INEC, Eneukwu said it was a step in the right direction.

“You know Nigerians, it is when you impose penalty that they tend to obey the law. So I think the money will make people to do the right thing,” the ANPP scribe added.