2023: INEC Reacts As Many Politicians Join Presidential Race

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has stated that the increasing number of politicians declaring interest in the 2023 presidency is not an issue to be worried about.

This is as INEC revealed that only eighteen political parties are eligible to present presidential candidates in the 2023 election, hence only a maximum of 18 candidates would emerge at the end of the process.

The electoral umpire said it is the duty of the political candidates to prune the number of aspirants on its platform through established procedures and present a single candidate to INEC as its flagbearer.

The clarification was made by the chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi on Sunday.

Speaking to Leadership in Abuja, he said; “Only 18 political parties can conduct primaries, therefore, we are monitoring only 18 primaries.”

He added that political parties have their responsibilities cut out as INEC would not interfere in choosing candidates but will only monitor the process for the emergence of candidates.

He added that out of the 18 parties eligible to present candidates, only those who conduct primaries within the stipulated timeframe and fulfill all other conditions contained in the electoral act will have their representation on the ballot papers.

“Therefore, if presidential aspirants are many, their respective political parties must determine the process of choosing only one of them. So, it’s up to them.

“So, we will only plan to monitor 18 party primaries or even less, depending on how many of the 18 registered parties give notice of their intention to conduct primaries within the stipulated period,” he said.

Oyekanmi added that INEC would only ensure proper guidelines are followed but would not interfere in party activities.