Labour Party chieftain accuses INEC of stirring leadership crisis

The Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Ayo Olorunfemi, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberately stirring confusion within the party amidst its ongoing leadership crisis.

Speaking on Channels Television’s morning programme, The Morning Brief, Olorunfemi alleged that INEC was interfering in the internal affairs of the party, which he believes is causing unnecessary disruption.

Addressing the situation, he remarked, “Assuming the tenure of the NWC has expired, it is not in their (INEC) duty to conduct. It is still the same person whose tenure has expired that would convey the meeting in line with the constitution of the party. So, they (INEC) are here to make trouble, they are here to create confusion.”

Olorunfemi also revealed that the party had formally invited INEC to its national convention but received no response from the electoral body. He argued that this silence was a tacit approval for the event to proceed.

“The letter was written even before the 21 days set to submit and of course, Justice Omotosho already confirmed that the 21-day notice was in line with the provision of the Electoral Act.

“If that notice was not acceptable, INEC has the responsibility to respond to the party and give reasons why we can’t hold the elections but INEC did not say anything and of course, silence means go ahead,” the LP chieftain elaborated.

His remarks follow INEC’s recent accusations that the Labour Party failed to adhere to the Electoral Act when holding its national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, in March 2024.

This controversy arose despite Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, previously clarifying that Julius Abure’s removal as national chairman was in line with the party’s constitution, not an individual decision.

Olorunfemi emphasized that the Labour Party has taken legal steps to resolve the matter.

“We are in court, we had to go to court when we were hearing this rumour and when we weren’t allowed to participate.

“When we took them to court, all they said was our national convention did not follow the Electoral Act. How? Why? They couldn’t explain,” he stated.