Political parties must meet two requirements before changing their presidential candidates' running mates or nominees, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Festus Okoye, the INEC's Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, said this on Friday's episode of Politics Today on Channels Television.
"Except in two circumstances—if the nominee dies—a political party cannot nominate a replacement. Alternatively, if the nominee pulls out of the contest.
A letter from the nominated candidate to the political party stating his resignation from the contest must be sent with every withdrawal, coupled with a sworn affidavit.
"The party will now forward the information to INEC. These are the withdrawal documents, which also list the names of the replacements.
The decision to withdraw is up to the nominated candidate alone, according to Okoye.