The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described Labour Party’s call for the dismissal of its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as ridiculous.
TheHintsNews reports that Labour Party and its Presidential Campaign Council had on Thursday while addressing a press conference in Abuja asked the international community to take “punitive action” against Yakubu and other top officials of the electoral body over the conduct of the 2023 elections.
The party further called for the investigation of the financial allocations and donors’ funds to INEC for the elections.
But reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi said making such a demand was not only illogical, but also ridiculous.
Oyekanmi in a statement issued Thursday that it was suprising and strange that a political party that was in court to challenge the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, would still go about openly advocating the issues before the court at press conferences, which it knows was subjudice.
He stressed that the Labour Party is one of the 18 political parties registered and being regulated by INEC in Nigeria, adding that the party would do well by restricting itself to activities permitted under the rules and regulations governing the conduct of political parties.
Oyekanmi pointed out that election observers, both local and international, are accredited by INEC to observe elections under specific rules and regulations.
He explained that under these rules, they are required to submit their respective reports to the Commission, adding that such reports might or might not include their recommendations.
Oyekanmi pointed out that it was not within the remit of any election observer whatsoever to indict INEC, insisting that they are to observe, make recommendations if they have any, but never to indict.
He noted: “The latest and familiar call by the Labour Party for the dismissal and prosecution of INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is misplaced. The reasons adduced by the party for making the demand is not only illogical, but also ridiculous.
“In the same manner, it is also not within the Labour Party’s jurisdiction to demand for the dismissal and prosecution of the INEC Chairman over the outcome of an election in which the party fielded candidates.
“Interestingly, arising from the outcome of the same 2023 general election, the Labour Party has now produced one State Governor, eight Senators, 35 House of Representatives members and 38 members of the State Houses of Assembly.”