The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has disclosed that three different factions of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State have applied to participate in the upcoming July 12 local government elections.
Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.), Chairman of LASIEC, made this disclosure during a stakeholders’ forum, themed: “Enhancing a Credible and Inclusive Local Government Elections in Lagos. held in Ikeja.
Okikiolu-Ighile said the three factions each invited LASIEC to observe their respective primaries ahead of the elections.
“Three factions of the Labour Party in Lagos invited us to observe their primaries,” she said.
However, LASIEC did not honor the invitations due to the perceived divisions within the party.
“LASIEC officials did not attend their primaries on Thursday because of the perceived division in the party,” Okikiolu-Ighile added.
The LASIEC boss further explained that the electoral body is currently awaiting guidance from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the appropriate steps to take concerning the Labour Party’s participation in the local government polls.
“We are waiting for INEC’s advice on the next steps regarding the situation with the LP,” she concluded.
The development has raised concerns over the Labour Party’s preparedness and unity ahead of the crucial local government elections, as LASIEC aims to ensure credibility and inclusivity in the electoral process.
The party chairman, Mrs. Dayo Ekong, who confirmed that the party held its councillorship primaries today (Thursday), said its chairmanship primaries will go on tomorrow as planned.
She said, there is no controversy over who is the authentic Labour Party group LASIEC should relate with, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had since settled that with LASIEC.
“I am aware of the situation. I can tell you that INEC, being the custodian of political parties, had since written to LASIEC on who LASIEC should relate with.
“I don’t know why LASIEC is still talking about three groups in our party that has been resolved. I see no reason why that should be an issue. I don’t understand the game LASIEC is playing.
“Though we wrote to LASIEC about our councillorship primaries today, we noticed that they were there.
“Anyway, constitutionally, it is not mandatory that they should be there. INEC has the final say in this.
“As planned, we shall be going with our chairmanship primaries tomorrow in all the local governments.
“LASIEC is playing with fire. If INEC had recognized the authentic people, which is under watch, I see no reason why they were not there. Anyway, the guideline does not say that, they must be there.
Ekong also denied membership of some of the sponsors of the factions.
“Some of them are not our members. They do not have the locus standi for doing what they do. All they are doing is transactional and we are not bothered by that because the members know the authentic group.”
The Nation
