In a statement released on Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) distanced itself from the national convention of the Labour Party (LP) held in Anambra on Wednesday. Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, made this declaration in Abuja, declining to provide further details on why the convention was not monitored by the electoral body.
The LP had initially scheduled its national convention to take place in Umuahia, Abia State, but later shifted it to Nnewi, Anambra State. Mr. Kehinde Edun, the LP National Legal Adviser, confirmed the venue change, emphasizing that the party had duly informed INEC about the alteration in venue and date.
According to Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are required to provide INEC with at least 21 days’ notice before holding any convention, congress, conference, or meeting. This notice also extends to events convened for purposes such as mergers, electing executive committees, governing bodies, or nominating candidates.