From Idu Jude, Abuja
The Labour Party has called on the general public and its numerous party members to disregard the reply by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC that it did not monitor its recent Nnewi convention, where Barrister Julius Abure, was reelected into office for a second tenure.
Statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifo, over the weekend indicated that INEC, did not in anyway reject the Nnewi convention since it is not obligated to be physical at all party conventions.
Recall that the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC and other stakeholders are currently challenging Abure’s Continued stay in office without properly organized convention.
The statment further reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a reply by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to some meddlesome Interlopers, who are not members of the Labour Party, seeking the Certify True Copy of our national convention, wherein INEC stated that it did not monitor our March 27, 2024 convention hence it cannot grant their request.
“There is certainly no contradiction between the statement from INEC and the position of INEC to choose whether or not to attend conventions of any political party. However, political parties are mandated to officially inform the INEC at least, three weeks of its intention to conduct the national convention.
“The Labour Party in compliance with the “Electoral Act of 2022” did notify INEC of its intention to conduct its national convention on the 27th of March 2024, first on December 4th, 2023 (more than 3 months).
“This was followed by two other notices of change of venue which the party adequately notified the Commission and were acknowledged
“Also, Article 82 (2) of the Electoral Act states “The Commission may, with or without prior notice to the political party attend and observe any convention, congress, conference or meeting which is convened by a political party for (a) electing members of its executive committees or other governing bodies.”
“Therefore it was not mandatory that INEC must be present during the internal party exercise. So, INEC’s inability to monitor the convention did not in any way invalidate the internal party activity. INEC has also continued to respect the laws of the land despite pressure from certain quarters to compromise its civic responsibility.
“At no time did INEC say it had rejected the outcome of the convention of the Labour Party. We have since moved on from the very successful convention, and activities in the party have frenzied with huge membership drives and other political events.
“We therefore assure our members and party supporters to ignore the twist in some sections of the media, funded by some discredited former members of the party. Labour Party is safe and is in good hands”.
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