Edo Election: INEC Excludes LP Refresher Training For Party Agents, Says Abure No longer National Chairman

From Abdul SULE (ABUJA)

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has excluded Labour Party (LP) agents from Commission's refresher training for party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo States governorship elections.

Besides, INEC had restated that Julius Abure’s is no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party following the expiration of his tenure in June 2024.

This clarification was made in a counter affidavit filed in response to the Labour Party’s lawsuit challenging its exclusion from INEC’s refresher training for party agents. 

INEC emphasized that the leadership of the Labour Party, including Abure, is no longer recognized, and the Commission does not acknowledge the party’s National Convention in March 2024, which claimed to have re-elected Abure as chairman.

INEC maintained that the convention was in violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, stating that it only engages with parties that have valid and recognized leadership.

In a written statement supporting the counter affidavit, INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa, SAN, argued that the Labour Party’s lawsuit is seeking declaratory reliefs that cannot be granted simply based on admissions.

They contended that the Labour Party must prove its case on its own merits, even in light of any admissions made.

The Commission’s lawyers further asserted that, having failed to adhere to the applicable legal frameworks in conducting its national convention, the Labour Party does not have a valid leadership with which INEC can engage.

They urged the court to dismiss the lawsuit, insisting that the Labour Party is not entitled to the reliefs it seeks.