The Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP) says it will not replace Chief Oduduogwu Ogbotobe, its late candidate for the Bayelsa governorship election slated for Feb. 11.
The Bayelsa Chairman of the party, Chief Isaac Eze, dropped the hint in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.
Eze was responding to questions on the death of its governorship candidate, and the possibility of replacing him.
NAN reports that the death of the candidate had sparked speculations that the election might be postponed if the party decided to replace the candidate.
But the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Bayelsa, Mr Gabriel Nwatarali, refused to comment on the issue.
He referred the NAN correspondent to the INEC PRO, Mr Timidi Wariowei, who also refused to comment.
However, a source at the INEC headquarters in Abuja told NAN that it had not received any report from the party, confirming the party's position not to replace its late chairman.
It will be recalled that Ogbotobe, from Akede in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa died about two weeks ago after a brief illness.