According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Independent National Electoral Commission has distanced itself from the Labour Party’s national convention that took place in Anambra on Wednesday.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Oyekanmi confirmed that INEC did not supervise the convention but did not elaborate on the reasons for the lack of monitoring.
Prior to the event, the LP had relocated the convention from Umuahia in Abia to Nnewi, Anambra State.
LP’s National Legal Adviser, Mr. Kehinde Edun, clarified the venue switch, informing the press that INEC had been duly notified of the change in location and schedule.
Edun emphasized, “The convention will be held in Anambra, specifically in Nnewi, not Umuahia in Abia State as previously indicated. In fact, Umuahia was not our initial choice; we had initially selected Benin before switching to Umuahia and now Nnewi.
“Therefore, we have the discretion to select any venue we deem fit. We only need to inform INEC about the venue and timing changes,” Edun stated.
Referencing Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are required to give INEC a minimum of 21 days’ notice before conducting a convention, congress, conference, or meeting. This notice also applies to gatherings related to mergers, the election of executive committee members, governing bodies, or candidate nominations.
(NAN)