By Milcah Tanimu

March 28, 2024

In a recent development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distanced itself from the Labour Party’s national convention held in Anambra on Wednesday.

According to Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, speaking from Abuja on Thursday, the commission did not oversee the conduct of the convention. Oyekanmi declined to elaborate further on the reasons behind this decision.

The Labour Party had initially planned to hold the convention in Umuahia, Abia State, but later relocated it to Nnewi, Anambra State. Mr. Kehinde Edun, the LP National Legal Adviser, informed the media that INEC had been duly notified of the change in venue and date.

Edun clarified the venue change, stating, “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. So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time.”

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 stipulates that political parties must provide INEC with at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting. This requirement encompasses conventions or meetings convened for purposes such as mergers, electing executive committee members, governing bodies, or nominating candidates.