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From Idu Jude, Abuja
Chieftain of the Labour Party and the former National Treasurer, Mrs Oluchi Opara, has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect the Supreme Court Judgment on the Labour Party crises in line with the certified true copy (CTC) released recently to immediately effect changes.
The former National Treasurer, while challenging INEC on the danger of delay, pointed out that the electoral umpire should, as a matter of urgency, delist from its websites the names of former leadership of the party for proper record-keeping.
Oluchi Opara further argued that the release of the CTC has put to rest all speculations, deliberate misinterpretations, and deliberate misinformation by mischief makers.
“Contrary to some narratives, the Federal High Court did not issue a new or conflicting decision; it simply gave effect to the subsisting judgment of the Supreme Court, which delivered a sound judgment on the issue of the Labour Party.
“The judgment is direct and self-explanatory. It clearly settles the leadership question of the Labour Party and makes the necessary consequential orders required for compliance by all concerned parties and institutions.
“With this clarification now firmly established, all stakeholders are expected to align their actions with the law. There is no longer any legal basis for continued controversy, parallel claims, or attempts to stretch interpretation beyond what the court has plainly stated”.
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Meanwhile, Mrs Opara has said that it is important to also clarify, on a personal and factual note, “that I, Oluchi Oparah, have fully served my tenure as National Treasurer of the Labour Party, like that of Mr. Julius Abure and others whose mandates have long come to an end. I have consistently maintained this position and stand firmly by it.
“Unfortunately, despite this clear reality, other members of that expired NWC, and I, are still being publicly referred to as substantive executives of the Labour Party. A misrepresentation that does not reflect the current legal and constitutional position of the party. This underscores the urgent need for proper institutional updates and compliance by INEC in line with clear judgments of the court.
“Accordingly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the statutory regulator of political parties, is urged to act without further delay. INEC is expected to do the right thing by removing my name, that of Mr. Julius Abure, and others whose tenures have expired from its website and official records, and replace them with the names of Distinguished Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, the authentic National Chairman of the Labour Party, and her duly recognised National Working Committee.
“INEC is further expected to accord Senator Nenadi Usman and Distinguished Senator Darlington Nwokocha II rights, recognition, and privileges attached to their office, in strict compliance with the court’s judgment—just as recognition was previously accorded to other leadership structures when the law so provided”.
She however, advised that focus must shift from unnecessary delay to compliance, from contention to order, and from personal interests to institutional integrity.
“The courts have done their part; it is now incumbent on relevant authorities and party stakeholders to do theirs.
The rule of law has spoken clearly. What remains is obedience, responsibility, and respect for due process”.
