The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed 2 conditions under which political parties can change their vice-presidential candidate or candidates.
INEC Commissioner of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye said that a candidate can only be substituted if he/she dies or withdraws from the race.
Okoye gave the information while speaking on Channels TV today, June 24.
In his words, “A political party cannot substitute a nominated candidate, except in two instances: if the nominated candidate dies. Or if the nominated candidate withdraws from the race.
“Any withdrawal must be accompanied by a letter written by the nominated candidate to the political party, indicating he has withdrawn from the race, along with an affidavit sworn.
“The party will now forward the same to INEC. And these are the documents of withdrawal, which will state who the replacements are.
“The issue of withdrawal is at the discretion of the nominated candidate and no one else.”
Presidential candidates, including Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party are still expected to change their running mates before the 2023 general election.