A pressure group, Shine Your Eyes Group (SYEG), has asked the Edo State chapter of Labour Party (LP) to rather preoccupy itself with how to save the party and its governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, from legal embarrassment over the weighty allegations against him as contained in the petition filed by Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, than attacking SYEG over its stance.
The group said the major issues before the court for determination among others was whether in substituting his deputy governorship candidate, Alufokhai Oluyinka Faith, Akpata complied within the time limit and with the provisions of the constitution.
In a statement on Thursday released in Benin City and endorsed by the group’s coordinator, Comrade Jonah Ifada, and Secretary, Osagie Omoregie, the group said INEC should not be blamed for any perceived infraction by the party, adding that the electoral body didn’t nominate Alufokhai for the LP in the first place.
Ifada further argued that, “What Imansuangbon in his application is asking the court to determine is whether the party followed the normal National Working Committee, NWC’s approval?
“Whether the mandatory signatories by Abure and the National secretary was obtained and if the answer are in the negative then Akpata does not have a substitution and therefore not a candidate of the LP in the eyes of the law.”
Ifada said the APC and PDP were keenly watching and waiting in the wings for the party to make a grievous mistake, adding that the Supreme Court judgement over Bayelsa State was very explicit and in line with Section 29 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“We want to say with due respect to our judges that the world is watching and that if Donald Trump can be brought to trial before the watchful eyes of the world Olumide can’t use the court to legitimate his error and Nigeria need to move with the rest of the world and respect of rule of law and democracy.
“Olumide among others pledged oath of allegiance to another country called Vanuate which is against Section 182 of our constitution. Imansuangbon is not contending that he was born in Germany but our Country is against his voluntary oath of allegiance to another country.
“We want to remind him that he cannot appropriate and reprobate at the same time. In the coming days, activities in Vanuate will be revealed to Nigerians and the world,” they added.
It further noted that it was not the turn of Edo South and that was why the APC and PDP went to Edo Central to nominate their candidates.
The group also reminded the LP publicity secretary, Comrade Sam Uroupa, that the Shine Your Eye Group he attempted to deride in his watery statement is an existing body that includes all ‘mama, ‘papa, pikin’ and those who want a better Edo State are members of the body and are in the majority.