2023: Electoral Law Seeking Appointees’ Resignation Does Not Exist - Akpabio

Godswill Akpabio

Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs has said that the section of the Electoral Act as amended which says electoral appointees must resign before contesting for political positions does not exist so he is unbothered.

Appearing on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, May 5, Akpabio said the law is non-existent because an Abia court ruled that it was unconstitutional.

The Minister said;

“In terms of section 84(12), it speaks about elections. If you wish to go into primary, you should try to resign before you go there.

“Even before Mr. President signed the bill, he had mentioned that it was not in line with the Nigerian constitution which contemplates 30 days before elections.

“So, no matter the act of parliament, no matter the law, the constitution is superior to any act of parliament. Moreover, it was shut down by a court of competent jurisdiction somewhere in Umuahia. So for now that law doesn’t exist.”

Akpabio added that he's not bothered about the law because the constitution supercedes it.

He said;

“I would have been worried about how the appeal would go but for the constitution. It depends on the constitution at the end of the day. It’s not a constitutional amendment”