Labour Party calls for probe of INEC’s finance, Yakubu’s suspension

Labour Party (LP) has called for the probe of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and suspension of INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Addressing reporters at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja, on Thursday, Akin Osuntokun, Director-General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, called for the commencement of forensic financial investigation into the expenditure of budgeted disbursements and donors’ funds received by INEC, especially the N300bn appropriated from the national purse, as well as other funds and materials, received from international donor agencies.

Osuntokun said, “While the position of INEC Chairman is constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be removed, but same attitude applied to Emefiele (suspended CBN Governor) should be applied to Yakubu because INEC has done a lot of damages that merit him being sanctioned.

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“Ideally somebody that committed the kind of gross abuse of office like INEC Chairman should resigned, but we are in Nigeria. That of EFCC and CBN remain a selective approach and there should be justice with INEC wrongdoing which has consequences for the wellbeing of the nation.”

While commending the international community and civil societies, for their continued support, in growing and consolidating Nigeria democracy, Osuntokun said it is only logical, bolstered by the final Observer Group reports, that the international community take immediate and appropriate punitive action against Prof Mahmud Yakubu, Barrister Festus Okoye and other top administrative and field staff of INEC, directly complicit, in the desecration of the elections.

“In Paragraph 17, page 7 of its own report, the ECOWAS Election Observer Mission stated that ‘incidents of violence, killings and disruption, were recorded in several states. The mission deplores the unfortunate incidents that occurred in the lead up to E-day, leading to loss of life in some parts of the country. These include the murder of the LP Senatorial Candidate for Enugu East, alongside five of his supporters.”

He also condemn the negative and “jaundiced responses” on the EU Report and other election observers’ reports, by the spokesperson of APC administration and other ill-informed persons, which are totally in discord, with the mood of the nation.

He said, “We advise that those who have deployed hired ‘protesters’ to the offices of the EU, in respect of their election report, desist from any further wastage of public funds, as the objective of intimidation is without basis, and has failed, from the beginning, because indeed, the irregularities in the election, were so excessively glaring, with bitter personal and reported experiences, by the overwhelming majority of Nigerians.

When contacted over the resignation call, Mr. Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said, “The latest and familiar call by the Labour Party for the dismissal and prosecution of INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is misplaced. The reasons adduced by the party for making the demand is not only illogical, but also ridiculous.

“To be sure, election observers, both local and international, are accredited by INEC to observe elections under specific rules and regulations. Under these rules, they are required to submit their respective reports to the commission.

“Such reports may or may not include their recommendations. Therefore, 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.”

He said it is also not within the LP’s jurisdiction to demand for the dismissal and prosecution of the INEC Chairman over the outcome of an election in which the party fielded candidates.

He said, “Interestingly, arising from the outcome of the same 2023 General Election, the Labour Party has now produced one State Governor, eight Senators, 35 House of Representatives members and 38 members of the State Houses of Assembly.

“It is surprising and strange that a political party that is court to challenge the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, would still go about openly advocating the issues before the court at press conferences, which it knows is subjudice.

“The Labour Party is one of the 18 political parties registered and being regulated by INEC in Nigeria. The party will do well by restricting itself to activities permitted under the rules and regulations governing the conduct of political parties.”