By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

A Lawyer has said that a merger between the Labour Party and New Nigerian Peoples Party(NNPP) targeting at producing a presidential ticket of Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi for the 2023 presidential election cannot work. He said any attempt by both parties to merge would amount to multiple nomination. He said Section 35 of the Electoral Act of 2022 will render such a merger a nullity. Said he, “Labour Party cannot also merge with NNPP even if they reach a mutual agreement to do so now”. According to him, the thoughts of a merger is but a legal fantasy.

Adding a fresh dimension to the ongoing debate on Obi/Kwankwaso ticket, the legal expert stated categorically that, “It is impossible for Kwankwaso and Obi to form any partnership or merger”, in a post on Sunday, amid the debate on whether both men can run a single ticket.

Hear the Lawyer, “Many Nigerians are excited and badly want change of guard in National leadership. I have received many calls concerning the legal possibility of an Obi and Kwankwaso combination. I'm sorry to say, this is not legally possible no matter the order of arrangement.

Obi cannot lawfully be vice presidential aspirant to anyone else in 2023, likewise Kwankwaso. Both must continue to run their separate race as Presidential candidates of their parties or quit to go back home as voters. None can legally qualify to be vice to anyone else. Otherwise, it will amount to multiple nomination”.

He continues, “If they attempt to have either of them as Vice to any of them, section 35 of the Electoral Act 2022 will render such arrangement invalid. This is the law and nothing can be done about it”.

Furthermore, he argues, “Labour Party cannot also merge with NNPP even if they reach a mutual agreement to do so now. It is legally impossible because the time for merger has passed. Merger notice must be given 9 months to general election. We don't have up to 9 months between now and February when the presidential election will hold. The option of merger is off the table.

“Thus, Labour Party and NNPP must run their separate race or withdraw from the race entirely. The thought of merger is only but legal fantasy. It does not exist and will not happen before 2023. It's a mirage. If you were thinking of it, perish the thought”.

He also advised, “Do you know that Electoral Act now permit agents of political parties to keep their separate evidence of election activities at polling units and such is admissible as evidence in Court. See section 41(4) of EA 2022”.

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