The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) claims it did not monitor the Labour Party‘s national convention.
On Wednesday, the LP held its national convention at the Grand Seasons Hotel in Nnewi, Anambra state.
The party’s chairman, Julius Abure, was re-elected during the convention.
However, Rotimi Oyekanmi, media aide to INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu said the convention was not overseen by INEC.
Oyekanmi didn’t explain why INEC didn’t monitor the convention.
The convention was originally scheduled for March 29 but was later moved to March 27. The party’s leadership stated that the date was changed because the original date fell on Good Friday, a significant date for Christians worldwide.
The venue was also switched from Abia to Anambra.
Speaking about the venue change, Kehinde Edun, LP‘s national legal adviser, stated that the party had informed INEC of the changes.
“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,” Edun said.
There had been calls to suspend the party’s national convention.
On March 17, the LP’s House of Representatives caucus called for the convention to be suspended so that the party could “properly plan” the event.
Abure’s re-election was deemed “an illegality” by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
On March 16, the NLC and LP exchanged words over calls to suspend the party’s convention and Abure’s resignation as chairman.