Ayo Olorunfemi, the Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), on Thursday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of instigating a crisis in the party.
The LP Chieftain also noted that the election body is creating confusion in the party by refusing to recognise the embattled National Chairman of the Party, Julius Abure.
Olorunfemi made the remark during Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s breakfast program, The Morning Brief.
News About Nigeria recalls that INEC has refused to recognise Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, despite retaining his name on its website, on the list of political party chairmen.
INEC insisted in the document that Abure’s tenure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party expired in June 2024.
Reacting to this, the LP chieftain said, “Assuming the tenure of the NWC has expired, it is not in their (INEC) duty to conduct. It is still the same person whose tenure has expired that would convey the meeting in line with the constitution of the party. So, they (INEC) are here to make trouble, they are here to create confusion.”
Olorunfemi also accused INEC of ignoring the Labour Party when the party sent a letter inviting them for its national convention, adding that the election umpire’s silence insinuated that they had given the Party the go-ahead.
“The letter was written even before the 21 days set to submit and of course, Justice Omotosho already confirmed that the 21-day notice was in line with the provision of the Electoral Act. If that notice was not acceptable, INEC has the responsibility to respond to the party and give reasons why we can’t hold the elections but INEC did not say anything and of course, silence means go ahead,” he stated.
