•Abure and Ajaero
The Labour Party (LP) has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to work with external interests to destabilise it to pave the way for defections.
National Legal Adviser of the party, Barr. Kehinde Edun, raised the alarm at a media briefing in Abuja, yesterday.
He explained that the party’s leadership has been assailed on all sides by paid agents mostly the NLC and its cronies, reports The PUNCH.
He alleged that, “The job for which the NLC has been paid is to create a semblance of division and crisis in our party.
“The leadership of the NLC and the dubious committees and commissions they have created are not members of our party.
“They are external aggressors paid by rival political parties to embark on a campaign of calumny and ferocious attacks against our party’s Leaders.
“The leadership of the NLC know that they are not registered members of our party and therefore have nostake in the party.
“Their claim to any stake in the party is false, mischievous and lacking any merit whatsoever.
“But they continue to deceive gullible people and are therefore willing tools in the hands of dubious politicians and some of our elected members who want to simulate or create the appearance of a crisis to justify defection.
“We are however emboldened as we are convinced of the solemnity and sureness of the triumph of good over evil.
“We should now respond to some of their fabrications: On the deliberate misinterpretation of INEC’s reply to an application by MessrSteve Adehi, SAN & Co.
“This letter is very clear and unambiguous and shouldn’t have been the subject of any argument.
“However not finding anything to hold unto against us, they went to import what is not contained in the letter into it.
“The applicant (anagent of the NLC) requested for CTC of INEC monitored report of Labour party convention, 2024 and the Labour party constitution.
“Even though the applicant and his principal were dishonest, mischievous, dubious and manipulative, INEC’S response was accurate and unpretentious.
“How on earth could there be an INEC monitored report when we have made it clear that INEC did not attend which position was also confirmed by INEC and is in the public domain. NLC and its cronies including the applicant knew INEC didn’t attend, why then ask for INEC report and what is their business with it?
“In paragraph 3 of the INEC’s reply, the commission expressed regret that it did not monitor the convention and could therefore not have an INEC monitored report.
“Now, did the non attendance of INEC invalidates the convention?
“The answer is capital no and INEC never said so.
“The law did not make it mandatory for INEC to attend any Party’s convention.
“INEC knew they were at liberty to come or not. What the law requires is proper Notice. This is provided for in Section 82(1) to 82(5) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
A communal reading of those provisions makes clear that we shall give at least 21 days’ notice (82)(1). That INEC may, with or without prior notice to us attend and observe (this is not compulsory (82)(2). That failure to notify INEC as stated in 82(1) shall render the convention invalid (82)(5).
“Take note that the law did not say failure of INEC to attend shall render the convention invalid. What then is the essence of the dishonest, dubious and misconceived hue and cry by the NLC.
“By section 83 of the Electoral Act, 2022, it is provided that monitoring and keeping records of activities of the political parties is not only by INEC attendance at party’s meeting but also by seeking information or clarification from the chairman and secretary. In the instant case, the information and clarification on the activities of the Labour Party 2024 national convention have been submitted and duly acknowledged by INEC. So the record is in INEC’s custody.”
The party said despite all these attacks, it remains strong and committed to providing a veritable platform for Nigerians to pursue and attain their political aspirations to make Nigeria a better place for generations yet unborn.
It advised NLC to focus on the pursuit of the welfare of its members which is its primary function and leave the Labour Party alone.
