The absence of Independent National Electoral Commission officials at the March 27 national convention does not nullify the reelection of the National Chairman, Julius Abure, and other National Working Committee members, as stated by the leadership of the Labour Party on Wednesday. This information was disclosed by the National Legal Adviser of the LP, Kehinde Edun, at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
Three days after INEC’s declaration of non-attendance or monitoring of the convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, Edun made this announcement. Abure has been in dispute with the Nigeria Labour Congress over the validity of his reelection in the past four months.
The internal conflict within the party persists, with the NLC and its stakeholders distancing themselves from the current NWC. When a lawyer requested a Certified True Copy of INEC’s report on the convention and the party’s constitution, the situation escalated further.
INEC’s response to the lawyer’s request, stating that it did not monitor the convention, has caused a ripple effect. The NLC claims vindication as a result.
However, during a media briefing in Abuja, Edun clarified that the interpretation of the INEC letter was incorrect. He emphasized that the absence or presence of INEC officials does not impact the legitimacy of the national convention.
Edun rebutted, “The INEC letter was straightforward, and its content was clear. The request for the report contradicted the known fact that INEC did not attend the convention. The law does not mandate INEC’s presence at party conventions, only proper notice. Therefore, the absence of INEC officials does not invalidate the convention.”
He continued to assert that the party will not succumb to external pressures and will protect itself from any attempts to hijack its operations.