INEC rejects labour party’s national convention in Anambra

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected Wednesday’s Labour Party (LP) National Convention in Anambra.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Oyekanmi stated that INEC did not monitor the convention’s proceedings, but declined to elaborate on why this was so.

According to NAN, the LP rescheduled the convention for Tuesday from Umuahia in Abia to Nnewi in Anambra State.

Speaking about the venue change, Kehinde Edun, the LP National Legal Adviser, told reporters that the party had informed INEC of the change in venue and date.

“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,” Edun said.

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act of 2022 requires political parties to provide INEC with at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting.

This includes the convention or meeting held for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies, or nominating candidates.