INEC dismisses Labour Party convention as illegal

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has noted that Wednesday’s Labour Party (LP) National Convention in Anambra is not recognised by it.

Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Oyekanmi, the conduct of the convention was not monitored by INEC, declining to state further why it was not monitored.

Business Hallmark reports that the convention, which held in Nnewi, Anambra State retuned Julius Abure as national chairman.

NAN reports that the LP had on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia in Abia to Nnewi, Anambra State.

Speaking on the venue change, Mr Kehinde Edun, the LP National Legal Adviser, told newsmen that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.

“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 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 the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees and other governing bodies or nominating candidates.

(NAN)