INEC refutes recognising any labour party leadership

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Independent National Electoral Commission has disproved reports claiming it has recognised new National Chairman and National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP) or reinstated any official in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement by the INEC Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the commission described the media reports as false and misleading, elucidating that no official decision has been made regarding leadership within both parties.

INEC explained that the names of Labour Party officers listed on its official website were uploaded following an order earlier in court, and is unrelated to the recent Supreme Court ruling involving the party, as well the status of the PDP’s National Secretary has not been altered or reinstated.

The Commission urged the public and media to rely on official communications for accurate updates on party leadership matters.

The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to some media reports claiming that the Commission has recognised certain persons as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP). The reports also inferred that the Commission has restored a particular individual as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), referring to the listings on the Commission’s official website.

“However, the reports are false and misleading. The Commission has not made any decision in respect of either the LP or PDP.

“The names of the National Officers of the LP had previously been uploaded to our website following a court order, not related in any way to the latest judgement of the Supreme Court. In the same manner, the name of the National Secretary of the PDP on the same website was neither deleted nor reinstated.

“As a law abiding institution, the Commission is carefully studying the judgement of the Supreme Court on the Labour Party and will communicate its decision to the public in due course.”