The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the Labour Party (LP) call for the removal of its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, over the outcome of the 2023 controversial election is illogical and ridiculous.
Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary to INEC Chairman stated this in reaction to a statement made by the Director General of Labour Party presidential campaign council, Mr Akin Osuntokun yesterday.
The former News Agency of Nigeria chief (Akin Osuntokun) during an international press conference held at the party’s campaign headquarters in Abuja, also demanded that a forensic financial probe should be carried out on all expenditures and donations received by the electoral body before, during, and after the polls.
But the electoral umpire while reacting to LP’s demand for the removal of it’s chairman described the call as illogical and ridiculous.
“The reasons adduced by the LP in making the latest and familiar demand are not only illogical, but also ridiculous,” he said.
Speaking on the issue of election observers, Oyekanmi said both local and international observers were accredited by INEC to monitor elections under specific rules and regulations.
“Under these rules, they were required to submit their respective reports to the commission. Such reports may or may not include their recommendations.
“Therefore, it is not within the remit of any election observer whatsoever to indict INEC. They are to observe, make recommendations if they have any, but never to indict.
“In the same manner, it is also not within the LP’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 LP has now produced one State Governor, eight Senators, 35 House of Representatives members and 38 members of the State Houses of Assembly,” he said.
Oyekanmi said it was strange that a political party that was in court challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, could still go about openly discussing the matter at a news conferences, knowing fully that such was subjudice.
“The LP is one of the 18 political parties registered and being regulated by INEC in Nigeria.
“The party will do well by restricting itself to activities permitted under the rules and regulations governing the conduct of political parties,” he said.
