13 parties field candidates for 2015 presidential poll

Political parties seeking to sponsor candidates for Presidential and National Assembly elections have up till today (Tuesday) to submit their nomination forms to the Independent National Electoral Commission, according to the INEC’s timetable and schedule of activities.

Specifically, the timetable scheduled the last day of submission of nomination forms for Presidential and National Assembly by political parties for January 6, 2015, while governorship and states’ Houses of Assembly polls are set for January 20, 2015.

The commission stated that it was in conformity with sections 32,37,38,39 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), which mandated it to appoint time for submission.

The timetable also indicated that publication of official register of voters for the election is expected on January 13, 2015.

Section 30 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provides not later than 30 days before the election.

The PUNCH recalls that 13 political parties are to field Presidential candidates in the 2015 elections.

They are the People Democratic Party, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (Presidential candidate) and Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo (Vice Presidential candidate).

The All Progressives Congress has Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) as its Presidential candidate while Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is his running mate.

The Action Alliance has Tunde Anifowose-Kelani as Presidential candidate and Paul Ishaku Ofemile as his running mate. Kowa Party parades Ogun State-born Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya of the Department of Foreign Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as its Presidential candidate and Bobboi Saidu as her running mate.

The United Progressives Party has the founding Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Chekwas Okorie, as its candidate while his vice presidential candidate is Bello Umar.

The late Gani Fawehinmi’s National Conscience Party is presenting Chief Martin Onovo and Ibrahim Mohammed as Presidential candidate and running mate respectively while African Democratic Congress would be fielding Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Nani and Ms Obianuju Murphy-Uzohue as its Presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Similarly, the United Democratic Party is presenting Godson Okoye and Adamu Haruna as its Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, just as the Alliance for Democracy will be presenting Rafiu Salau and Prof. Cliff Clinton Akuche as its Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.

The Peoples Party of Nigeria has Kelvin Chinedu Alagoa as its candidate while Ms. Mary Arebamhen would go as the running mate.

Others are the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, with Alhaji Ganiyu Galadima Oseni (Presidential candidate), Ms. Oluremi Farida Ojengbede (running mate); the African Peoples Alliance has Alhaji Adebayo Musa Ayeni as its Presidential candidate and Balarabe Ahmad as its Vice Presidential candidate. Hope Democratic Party has Ambrose Owuru as its Presidential candidate while Alhaji Haruna Yahaya Shaba is its Vice Presidential candidate.

Other political parties whose presidential and vice presidential candidates were not displayed include the Labour Party, APGA, the Progressives Peoples Alliance and the Fresh Democratic Party founded by flamboyant Pastor of Household of God Mission, Pastor Chris Okotie.