Breaking: Tension as Protests Break Out at INEC Headquarters

• INEC national headquarters has been besieged by some group of protesters seeking the inclusion of Labour Party candidates in the forthcoming by-election
• With banners and placards of different inscriptions, the protesters accused the electoral body of undermining democracy in the country
• Recall that INEC has scheduled the by-election for Saturday, August 16, and it will be held in 12 states of the federation

Some civil society organisations have staged protests at the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The protesters, who were in support of Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party, are asking the electoral umpire to include the party’s candidates in the forthcoming nationwide by-election.

According to Vanguard, they were seen in dozens, holding different banners and placards with inscriptions such as “Tell INEC to obey court orders”, “Mahmood stop destroying democracy in Nigeria”, “INEC, who is using you against LP,” among several others.

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The protesters were seen at the headquarters of the electoral commission for the protest at about 11 am on Wednesday, August 6.

How many states by-election would be held

INEC had earlier fixed August 16 to conduct elections into vacant positions in the national and state houses of assembly in 12 states of the country. The election, according to INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, included two senatorial district, five federal constituencies and nine state house of assembly seats.

The states where the by-elections would be held included Edo and Anambra for senatorial district poll. Also, federal constituency elections would be held in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo. In Adamawa, Anambra, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara would witness state house of assembly elections on the same day.

Labour Party appreciates INEC

Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s national publicity secretary, expressed gratitude to INEC for obeying the court order on Thursday, October 17. Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the Labour Party’s national secretary, also welcomed the development, stating that the party was now set to participate in upcoming political activities, including the Anambra governorship election.

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Ibrahim emphasized that the leadership issue has been resolved and urged party members to rally behind Abure’s leadership. He described the situation as a “family affair” and encouraged members to work together to rebuild the party. “Labour Party will come back stronger,” he said, “but we need everyone to join in the process of rebuilding”.

This development marks a significant turning point for the Labour Party, which had faced challenges related to its leadership and recognition by INEC. With the court’s validation of Abure’s leadership, the party can now focus on its political activities and preparations for upcoming elections.

Court of Appeal affirms Labour Party victory

Legit.ng earlier reported that the PDP federal lawmaker representing Igboeze North/Udenu federal constituency in Enugu state in the House of Representatives, Honourable Simon Atigwe, had been sacked.

Justice H. N. Kunaza of the Court of Appeal subsequently declared Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo of the Labour Party (LP) as the authentic representative of the federal constituency.

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Recall that Agbo initially won the February 25 National Assembly election but was sacked, leading to a rerun of the election where Atigwe was declared the winner.

Source: Legit.ng