The Labour Party National Convention, which took place in Nnewi, Anambra State on Wednesday, has been criticised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Chief news Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, made this claim on Thursday at a news conference in Abuja.
Oyekanmi made it clear that INEC was not in charge of the convention’s operations and declined to go into more detail about the rationale for this choice.
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The Labour Party moved the convention to Nnewi, Anambra State, from its original location of Umuahia, Abia State.
Journalists were advised by Kehinde Edun, the Labour Party’s National Legal Adviser, that the party had notified INEC of the location and date changes in a proper manner.
“No, it is holding in Anambra. Nnewi, to be precise, not Umuahia in Abia State again. In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose. Benin City 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 the time,” Mr Edun said.
Political parties are required by Section 82(1) of the 2022 Electoral Act to give INEC at least 21 days’ notice before convening any conventions, congresses, conferences, or meetings.
This mandate includes meetings called for purposes like “mergers,” choosing members of the executive committee, other governing bodies, or nominating candidates.
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