2023: INEC Top Official Resigns, Joins APC to Contest Governorship Election in Northern State

• Ahead of 2023, a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for INEC, Nentawe Yilwatda, has resigned and joined partisan politics
• Yilwatda was reported to have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau and kickstarted his governorship ambition
• The former REC for Benue state confirmed the development but said he is yet to formally join the ruling party

Plateau state - The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue state, Nentawe Yilwatda, has resigned from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and joined partisan politics.

Yilwatda was appointed REC in 2017 and posted to Benue state. During his four-year stay in office, he participated in the conduct of elections in many states, Premium Times exclusively reported.

However, the former lecturer in December 2021 resigned from his post and relocated to his native Plateau state where he began associating with ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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I'm yet to formally join APC

Meanwhile, Yilwatda on Wednesday, January 12, reportedly confirmed his resignation from INEC, noting that it was for personal reasons. He also confirmed that he had joined partisan politics.

However, the former REC said he was yet to formally join the APC but said he would soon do so.

INEC confirms Yilwatda's resignation

INEC also reportedly confirmed that the former lecturer had since left the electoral body.

Festus Okoye, the INEC commissioner for information and voter education, said he is unaware of the real reason for Yilwatda resigned from the commission before the expiration of his five-year tenure.

Nevertheless, Premium Times stated that Yilwatda resigned to enable him to join the governorship race in Plateau state, adding that he has started a spirited campaign to clinch the APC's gubernatorial ticket.

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It was gathered that the former REC on Sunday, January 9, announced the commencement of his campaign via his Facebook Page.

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In another report, the Senate on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, received a formal request from President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm the appointment of six nominees as National Commissioners, and one other as REC for INEC.

The request was contained in a letter dated Friday, December 10, and read during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

Buhari explained that the request was made pursuant to paragraph 14 of Part (1) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Legit.ng checks indicate that the president withdrew the earlier nomination of one of his media aides, Lauretta Onochie.

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Meanwhile, the leaders of the APC in Plateau state have intensified their efforts to ensure Governor Simon Lalong contests the 2023 presidential election.

The Plateau APC leaders met in Jos on Sunday, November 7, 2021 to discuss the recent political crisis in the state and also sharpen their strategy ahead of 2023.

They noted that the political turmoil had not degenerated into violence because the Plateau governor had been handling it effectively.

Source: Legit.ng