ABUJA, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially disassociated itself from the Labour Party’s (LP) National Convention held in Anambra State.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, communicated the commission’s stance in a conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
According to Oyekanmi, INEC did not monitor the convention, a crucial process typically overseen by the commission to ensure compliance with the Electoral Act.
The reasons for INEC’s non-participation were not disclosed.
Julius Abure, the embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party, was re-elected in the controversial national convention.
The LP’s decision to relocate the convention from Umuahia in Abia State to Nnewi, Anambra State, emerged amidst confusion.
Originally scheduled for Umuahia, the venue had already been moved from an initial choice of Benin before settling on Nnewi.
Kehinde Edun, the LP’s National Legal Adviser, stated that the party had properly notified INEC about the venue and date changes, emphasising the party’s autonomy in choosing its convention location, provided that INEC is informed as required by law.
Under Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, political parties are mandated to give INEC at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, or meeting convened for crucial activities such as mergers, electing executive committee members, or nominating candidates.
The situation raises questions about the adherence to electoral laws and the communication processes between INEC and political parties.
With the Labour Party’s insistence that it had duly informed the commission about the changes in venue and time, the disavowal by INEC points to a potential oversight or miscommunication that could have broader implications for the political and electoral landscape in Nigeria.
