Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Fadehan Oyeyemi
Published on 2024-03-10 16:46:20
A Civil Group known as the Center for Reform and Public Advocacy, CRPA, has taken legal action by filing a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Their goal is to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent the Labour Party (LP) from participating in the upcoming Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. The group believes that prohibiting the Labour Party from sponsoring or nominating candidates for these elections is necessary to prevent any acts of illegality and unconstitutionality.
The primary issue raised by the group is that the Labour Party is not in compliance with sections 222 and 223 of the 1999 Constitution. They argue that the party has deliberately failed to convene a National Convention as required by law for the purpose of electing national leaders. The last National Convention held by the Labour Party was on June 10, 2019, which produced the current national leaders of the party. However, the group asserts that the party’s failure to hold another convention within the stipulated four-year period violates the Constitutional provisions.
The suit filed by the group, represented by lawyers Ukpai Ukairo and Kalu Agu, named INEC, Labour Party, Julius Abure, and Lamidi Apapa as defendants. They are seeking a court order to ban Abure and Apapa from nominating candidates or claiming to be National Officers of the party. The suit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/301/2024, aims to compel INEC to enforce the relevant Constitutional provisions and prevent the Labour Party from participating in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
The group argues that the Labour Party’s intention to nominate candidates for these elections should be stopped, as the party is currently in default of the Constitution. They urge the court to invoke section 225 of the Constitution to de-register the party, as it has failed to comply with the required provisions. The group further claims that Abure and Apapa have conducted separate primary elections, and INEC should be prohibited from accepting their nominees or allowing the party’s logo on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the group highlights that the names and addresses of National Officers of the Labour Party are not registered with INEC as mandated by law. They stress the importance of political parties holding elections on a democratic basis every four years, and assert that the Labour Party’s failure to do so renders it ineligible to operate as a political party in Nigeria.
Despite the legal action taken by CRPA, no date has been set for the hearing of the suit. The group’s efforts to ensure compliance with the Constitution and prevent any potential violations during the upcoming Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States demonstrate their commitment to upholding the rule of law and advocating for electoral integrity.
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