LP crisis deepens as state chairmen warn INEC against

From Sola Ojo, Abuja

As the leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) lingers, its forum of elected state chairmen has accused unnamed forces of plotting to destabilise the party through “illegal” parallel congresses.

In a statement addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, the chairmen warned the commission against yielding to pressure to monitor or recognise what they described as unconstitutional congresses being promoted by a rival faction.

Signed by the Secretary of the Forum of Elected State Chairmen and a member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), Abdurrahim Imam Chindo, the statement stated that the warning became necessary following “credible information” suggesting attempts to override existing party structures.

“We are not self-appointed actors,” the group said, adding that its mandate “is rooted in law, not convenience.”

The chairmen argued that the electoral body had already taken a position on the matter when it rejected moves to dissolve party structures, stressing that the legal defects identified at the time had not been cured.

They maintained that any attempt to revisit the issue would lack legal basis, warning that “legality cannot be built on a defective foundation.”

The forum further stated that congresses conducted with due notice and monitored by INEC cannot be set aside administratively, insisting that “only a court can void INEC-monitored congresses.”

It cautioned that recognising parallel congresses would lead to “duplication of leadership” and destabilise the party, warning that such a move would also undermine the credibility of the electoral umpire.

“INEC cannot validate a process and later undermine it,” the chairmen said.

They also drew attention to the ongoing leadership dispute in the Court of Appeal, in which INEC is a party, cautioning that any fresh congresses could prejudice the case.

The group urged INEC to maintain the status quo and resist pressure, warning, “Recognising parallel congresses will create chaos.”

It added that any attempt to legitimise new structures would be resisted legally.

“We will challenge any illegal recognition in court,” the communique stated.