The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distanced itself from the Labour Party (LP) National Convention held in Anambra on Wednesday.
Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, stated that the convention was not monitored by INEC, declining to provide further details on why it was not monitored, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
Despite the LP’s announcement of shifting the convention from Umuahia, Abia State to Nnewi, Anambra State, Mr. Kehinde Edun, the LP National Legal Adviser, affirmed that the party duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.
Edun clarified, “No, it is holding in Anambra. Nnewi to be precise, not Umuahia in Abia State again.” He explained the party’s prerogative in selecting the venue, stating, “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.”
According to Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, political parties are required to give INEC at least 21 days notice of conventions, congresses, conferences, or meetings, including those convened for the purpose of mergers, electing members of executive committees, governing bodies, or nominating candidates.