APGA Hails INEC's Decision On PPA

By TheNigerianVoice-TNV

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday described the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stopping the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) from changing its acronym to All Progressives People Alliance (APPA) as a “right step in the right direction.”

APGA National Chairman, Victor Umeh, in a statement through his Special Assistant (Media), Stan Okeke, stressed that it was noteworthy that the commission, without any formal protest to it, took that decision, knowing that the acronym, PPA, intended to use in its aborted effort to change its name, had semblance with the APGA acronym.

He said that the decision of INEC not to agree to the change of name confirmed his initial fears that PPA was out to create confusion, but that INEC decided to take the bull by the horn by taking this decision, based on constitutional laws guiding INEC.

According to Umeh: “The news of the refusal of the change of name by INEC came to all members of APGA as a huge relief.

“It is instructive that INEC came to this fair and just decision without any formal protest from us.”

“The commission, in taking this decision, was guided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act,” Umeh stated.

According to him, the INEC decision was a clear demonstration by the leadership of the commission, of its readiness to discharge its duties without fear or favour, and in complete compliance with the rules.

He pointed out that the attempt by PPA to change its name and acronym to All Progressive Peoples Alliance (APPA), was a clear intent of mischief to confuse the electorate with the two similar acronyms of APGA and APPA.

He added that it was even more dangerous when one considered the fact that based on alphabetical order, APGA and APPA would have appeared next to each other on the ballot paper.

The statement further recalled when Umeh, on July 18, at the stakeholders meeting with INEC, raised concern when Sam Nkire introduced himself as the National Chairman of APPA.

“Umeh at that meeting protested the announcement for the obvious reasons for which the commission on its own, has now confirmed, citing among other reasons, that the acronym was similar to that of APGA and African Peoples Alliance (APA).”

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