INEC denies monitoring Labour Party convention, raising legality question

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Labour Party’s (LP) national convention held yesterday in Nnewi, Anambra.

While the LP maintains they informed INEC about the venue change from Umuahia to Nnewi, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the commission did not monitor the convention. He declined to elaborate on the reason for their absence, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The LP, through its national legal adviser, Kehinde Edun, insists they properly notified INEC about the change in venue and date. Mr Edun said they were within their rights to choose a venue as long as INEC was informed.

Electoral Act Requirements

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, mandates political parties to provide INEC with at least 21 days’ notice of any convention or meeting, including those for electing officials or nominating candidates.

Unresolved Issue

With INEC’s absence and the LP’s claim of proper notification, the situation remains unclear. The legality of the convention and its outcomes may be subject to controversy.