INEC said LP cannot demand the sack of its chairman over the outcome of an election it fielded candidates
Kehinde Okeowo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reacted to the call by the Labour Party (LP) for the sack of its chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, insisting it has no ground to make such a demand.
The Director General, Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Otumba Akin Osuntokun, had at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, called on the international community to take “punitive action” against Yakubu and other top INEC officials over the conduct of the 2023 elections.
It also demanded a forensic investigation into the expenditure of the released budget and donor funds received by INEC for the 2023 general election, saying Nigerians deserve to get the details of how the funds were disbursed.
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Reacting to the statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, told NAN that the “reasons adduced by the LP in making the latest and familiar demand are not only illogical but also ridiculous”.
According to him, INEC accredited local and international election observers under specific rules and regulations, under which they were required to submit their reports to the commission.
He said: “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 the dismissal and prosecution of the INEC chairman over the outcome of an election in which the party fielded candidates,”
He went on to say it was strange that a political party in court challenging the outcome of the presidential election could still openly discuss the matter at a news conference, knowing fully that doing so is subjudice.
“The LP is one of the 18 political parties registered and being regulated by INEC in Nigeria,” he said.
“The party will do well by restricting itself to activities permitted under the rules and regulations governing the conduct of political parties.” Oyekanmi further said.