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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Labour Party under Barr. Julius Abure has condemned a statement purportedly issued by one Ken Enuma Asogwa, said to be a media aide to Ms. Nenadi Usman, describing it as a calculated attempt to blackmail the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ridicule the judiciary.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party warned that it would petition the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) if Asogwa, who is also a lawyer, failed to retract his “offensive and embarrassing” statement within 72 hours.
The Party alleged that Asogwa, acting on behalf of Ms. Usman, who it says is not a member of the Labour Party, had accused the Acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, of “criminally colluding” with Labour Party National Chairman Abure in the execution of her lawful duties.
“The so-called press statement was a clear attempt to blackmail INEC and embarrass the judge of the High Court, thereby bringing the court into public ridicule,” Obiora said.
Obiora stated that such “political zealotry and abuse of privilege” would not go unchallenged, stressing that no lawyer should describe a valid court order as “fake.”
“We view his action as an attempt to bring the judiciary into disrepute. Lawyers argue their matters in court, not on social media. Dragging the integrity of the court in the public space for political reasons is very unfortunate,” he said.
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The party further criticised Asogwa for allegedly labelling individuals, including its National Chairman, as criminals without any court conviction, describing his actions as “reckless and unprofessional.”
The Labour Party also advised Ms. Usman and her “aides” to desist from what it termed “cheap publicity stunts,” urging them to produce a valid court ruling that affirms her as the party’s national chairman.
“To Nenadi Usman and her reggae boys, including one Tony Akeni, if things don’t go their way, they resort to bullying, blackmail, and intimidation.
“INEC should not be intimidated because they are simply obeying a valid court order,” the statement added.
The party urged Ms. Usman to “act civil” and restrain her associates from further attacks on INEC and the judiciary.
