The Labour Party has slammed the Independent National Electoral Commission for creating confusion within the party’s leadership ranks.
Deputy National Chairman Ayo Olorunfemi alleged on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief that INEC overstepped its bounds by declaring the party’s national convention invalid.
Olorunfemi argued that INEC received timely notice of the convention, as required by the Electoral Act, but failed to respond or raise objections.
This development follows INEC’s refusal to recognize Julius Abure as Labour Party National Chairman, citing expired tenure.
The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, clarified that Abure’s removal followed the party’s constitution.
The Labour Party has taken the matter to court, seeking clarity on the crisis.
INEC maintains that Abure’s tenure expired in June 2024.
“Assuming the tenure of the NWC has expired, it is not in their (INEC) duty to conduct. It is still the same person whose tenure has expired that would convey the meeting in line with the constitution of the party. So, they (INEC) are here to make trouble, they are here to create confusion,” Olorunfemi said said on the show.
“The letter was written even before the 21 days set to submit and of course, Justice Omotosho already confirmed that the 21-day notice was in line with the provision of the Electoral Act,” the LP chieftain said.
“If that notice was not acceptable, INEC has the responsibility to respond to the party and give reasons why we can’t hold the elections but INEC did not say anything and of course, silence means go ahead.
“We are in court, we had to go to court when we were hearing this rumour and when we weren’t allowed to participate.
“When we took them to court, all they said was our national convention did not follow the Electoral Act. How? Why? They couldn’t explain.”
