The Labour Party (LP) has urged the public and its members to disregard claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected its recent Nnewi convention, where Barrister Julius Abure was re-elected for a second term.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifo, clarified over the weekend that INEC is not obligated to physically attend all party conventions.
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The clarification comes amid ongoing challenges from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and other stakeholders regarding Abure’s continued tenure without a properly organized convention.
“Our attention has been drawn to a reply by INEC to certain individuals, who are not members of the Labour Party, seeking the Certified True Copy of our national convention. INEC stated that it did not monitor our March 27, 2024 convention and thus could not grant their request,” the statement read.
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“There is no contradiction between INEC’s statement and its position on attending party conventions. Political parties must inform INEC at least three weeks before conducting a national convention. The Labour Party, in compliance with the Electoral Act of 2022, notified INEC of its intention to hold the convention on December 4, 2023, and provided subsequent updates regarding venue changes, all of which were acknowledged by INEC.”
Ifo emphasized that Article 82 (2) of the Electoral Act states that INEC may choose to attend and observe any political party convention but is not required to do so. Therefore, INEC’s absence at the convention does not invalidate the proceedings.
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“INEC has not rejected the outcome of our convention. We have moved on from the successful event, and the party is actively engaged in membership drives and other political activities,” the statement continued.
The Labour Party reassured its members and supporters to disregard misinformation spread by certain media outlets, allegedly funded by discredited former party members. “Labour Party is safe and in good hands,” Ifo concluded.
