The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has punctured the victory of Barrister Julius Abure as it distanced itself from the Labour Party (LP) National Convention that will be held in Anambra state on Wednesday.
The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said this when he spoke to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.
Oyekanmi said that the conduct of the convention was not monitored by INEC, declining to state further why it was not monitored. It was, however, reported that the LP had on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia in Abia to Nnewi, Anambra State.
Speaking on the venue change, Mr Kehinde Edun, the LP National Legal Adviser, told newsmen that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.
“No, it is holding in Anambra. Nnewi, to be precise, is not Umuahia in Abia State again. 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 time,” Edun said.
Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days’ notice of convention, congress, conference, or meeting. This includes the convention or meeting convened for “merger” and electing members of its executive committees and other governing bodies or nominating candidates.
The convention which was held under tight security, barred some sections of media from coverage due to alleged partisan postures.
