***Commends INEC for being forthright in declining to endorse ill-fated Nnewi convention
***No, INEC did not rejected LP’s convention, says Ifoh
The crises rocking the Labour Party (LP) has refused to cease as its former National Treasurer Oluchi Okpara has called on leaders of the party especially elected members that are statutory delegates to wake up and save the Party from an impending disaster.
She spoke in Abuja on Saturday against the backdrop of a reply by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to an application for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the monitored report of the LP Convention in Nenewi, Anambra State for which the commission declared it did not monitor the convention and hence cannot report on it.
According to her, the tenure of Abure as National Chairman of the party elapsed since June 9, 2024, therefore any action by him and other members of the National Working Committee will be null and void forthwith.
According to her. The tenure expired in June 2023, but was extended by one year in Asaba by the NEC.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had disowned the Labour Party‘s National
Convention held in Nnewi Anambra almost immediately.
The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, had indicated then that the conduct of the LP’s convention was not monitored by the Commission.
Continuing, Okpara called on all elected members of the party, Governor Alex Otti, Senators, House of Representative members to come together to ensure the party does not die by convoking a NEC meeting to deliberate on the process that will lead to an a inclusive convention to be conducted at a later date.
“Our elected members should come together so that this party does not die in the hands of a man that is already drowning.
“We hereby wish to use this opportunity to thank the National Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and the staff of the Commission for their steadfastness despite the pressure mounted on the Commission to look the other way and validate his ill-fated national convention.
“With the resilience and good faith INEC has exhibited in the face of these odds, we have come to the conclusion that the future of Nigeria’s democracy is in good hands.”
“We stand here as members of our great party, (the Labour Party) which has been in great turmoil since immediately after the 2023 general elections as a result of the obnoxious ambition of Julius Abure, the former National Chairman of our party whose tenure elapsed on June 9, 2024.
“Please recall that in the course of Abure’s ambition to remain as Labour Party chairman, – he spared no effort in undermining and transgressing all known legal and moral codes, including convoking, and writing the report of his ill-fated National convention which was boycotted and roundly rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“INEC rejected the convention for being in contravention of the Labour Party’s Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC Guidelines and Regulations for Political Parties 2022.
“In light of the letter from INEC, the recognized and registered Labour Party Constitution as provided by INEC to us is that of 2019 so those parading themselves as elected National officers of the Party with the purported 2024 Constitution is null and void.
“The purported 2024 constitution was not accepted by INEC as well as every other aspect of the failed Nnewi Convention.
“This will put to rest all the lies Abure has been dishing out that the Independent National electoral commission (INEC) has approved his convention.”
She warned that if Abure is allowed to submit any Name to INEC it will void the candidacy of the prospective aspirant as he no longer has legal authority to do so.
“We know and aware that Julius Abure and his cohorts are hell bent on misinforming unsuspecting members of the public about the failed National Convention especially when it has to do with the election of National officers of our Party, and the amendment of our Party’s Constitution which INEC has refused to honour because of the lack of due process.
“No amount of propaganda can change badly taken decision when we all know it failed to follow lay down constitutional provisions, regulations and guidelines.”
The former treasurer alleged that immediately after the ill fated national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, Abure had boasted that he was going to give INEC so much cash in both local and foreign currencies to validate the illegality
“He was unfortunate enough to meet an INEC Chairman and Commission who have sworn to uphold the oath of office to carry out the spirit and the letters regulating the processes that have been laid down for the strengthening of internal party democracy within political parties in Nigeria.
“Ever since then, Abure has been running from pillar to post to make certain that INEC, which boycotted his ill-fated Nnewi national convention and did not monitor or observe the proceedings at the convention recognises and validates his illegality.
“The failure by the Julius Abure led leadership to follow simple regulations and guidelines for the conduct of the purported National convention is too obvious to be ignored by well meaning members of Labour Party.
“We sincerely thank INEC for upholding the law. We stand firm with the commission on the need for an all inclusive National Convention that will ensure that the proper thing is done.
In reaction, the National Publicity Secretary of the party Obiora Ifoh said, “Our attention has been drawn to a reply by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to some meddlesome Interlopers, who are not members of the Labour Party, seeking for the Certify True Copy of our national convention report, wherein INEC stated that it did not monitor our March 27, 2024 convention hence it cannot grant their request.
“There is certainly no contradiction about the statement from INEC or the position of INEC to chose either or not to attend conventions of any political party.
“However, political parties are mandated to officially inform the INEC at least, three weeks of its intention to conduct the national convention.
“The Labour Party in compliance to the ‘Electoral Act of 2022’ did notify INEC of its intention to conduct its national convention on the 27th of March 2024, first on December 4th, 2023 (more than 3 months).
“This was followed by two other notices of change of venue which the party adequately notified the Commission and were acknowledged
“Also the Article 82 (2) of the electoral Act states “The Commission may, with or without prior notice to the political party attend and observe any convention, congress, conference or meeting which is convened by a political party for the purpose of (a) electing members of its executive committees or other governing bodies.
Therefore Ifoh said, it was not mandatory that INEC must be present during the internal party exercise.
“So, INEC’s inability to monitor the convention did not in anyway invalidate the internal party activity. INEC has also continued to respect the laws of the land despite pressure from certain quarters to compromise its civic responsibility.
“At no time did INEC said it has rejected the outcome of the convention of the Labour Party. We have since moved on from the very successful convention, and activities in the party have frenzied with huge membership drive and other political events.
“We therefore assure our members and party supporters to ignore the twist in some sections of the media, funded by some discredited former members of the party. Labour Party is safe and is in good hands.”
