The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distanced itself from the Labour Party’s national convention held in Anambra on Wednesday.
Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, made this declaration in Abuja on Thursday.
Oyekanmi clarified that INEC did not monitor the conduct of the convention and declined to provide further details regarding the reasons for non-monitoring.
The Labour Party had initially scheduled its national convention to take place in Umuahia, Abia State, but later changed the venue to Nnewi, Anambra State.
Commenting on the venue change, Mr. Kehinde Edun, the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party, informed the press that the party had duly notified INEC about the change in venue and date.
He stated, “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.”
Edun emphasized that the party had the liberty to select any venue of its choice, with the obligation to inform INEC about the change in venue and timing.
According to Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, political parties are required to give INEC at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, meeting, merger, or election of executive committee members, governing bodies, or nomination of candidates.
