The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refused to recognize the national convention of the Labour Party (LP) held on Wednesday in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said this in Abuja on Thursday.
Oyekanmi said that the conduct of the convention was not monitored by INEC, but declined to state further why it was not monitored.
The party’s board of trustees has since taken over the running of the party, leaving out Julius Abure who was re-elected at the convention.
The LP on Tuesday shifted the national convention from Umuahia in Abia to Nnewi, Anambra State.
Speaking on the venue change, the LP National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, told reporters that the party informed INEC about the change of venue and date for the convention.
“No, it is holding in Anambra. Nnewi, to be precise, not Umuahia in Abia State again. In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose. Benin was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi.
“So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time,” Edun said.
Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days’ notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting.
This includes the convention or meeting convened for “merger” and electing members of its executive committees and other governing bodies or nominating candidates.
With the latest development, the challenges ravaging the Labour Party may not be over soon.
