The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned the Labour Party’s (LP) National Convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, which saw Julius Abure re-elected as the party’s national chairman.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
Oyekanmi stated that INEC did not monitor the convention’s proceedings but declined to elaborate on why this was so.
On Tuesday, the LP moved the convention from Umuahia, Abia State, to Nnewi, Anambra State.
The convention saw Julius Abure re-elected as the party’s national chairman for another term.
Speaking to journalists about the change of venue for the convention, LP National Legal Adviser Kehinde Edun stated that the party has informed INEC of the change in location and date.
“No, it is holding in Anambra, Nnewi, to be precise, is not Umuahia in Abia State again. 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 of 2022 requires political parties to send INEC at least 21 days notice of any convention, congress, conference, or gathering.
This comprises the convention or meeting called for the “merger” and the election of members of its executive committees and other governing bodies, as well as the nomination of candidates.
