The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission [/b](INEC) in Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha, has issued a stern warning to aspirants and political parties, instructing them to immediately cease all campaigning for the upcoming governorship election or face potential sanctions.
In a statement on Monday in Benin, the REC clarified that the campaign suspension has not been lifted, emphasizing that parties and candidates should refrain from campaigning until April 24.
Onuoha emphasized that political parties should not engage in public campaigning for the primary election, categorizing it as an internal affair. He urged all political parties and aspirants to dismantle billboards, signposts, and cease advertisements on television and newspapers.
The REC stated, “I am calling on the aspirants and the 16 political parties taking part in the September 21 election to comply with the timetable of the election.
“They are not supposed to campaign publicly for the primary election. It is against the law.
“I will urge them to pull down their banners, billboard and stop running jingles on radio.
“If they do not comply with this directive, we would have no other option than to sanction them.”
Onuoha added that his duty is to write a report and send to the headquarters of the commission, not to announce results as primary election is an internal affair.
“We were present at the APC primary election. We saw what happened and we will present our report to Abuja,” he said.
