The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the Labour Party (LP) will not be participating in the upcoming Edo State National Assembly by-election, slated for next week.
The by-election will be held to fill vacancies in the Edo Central Senatorial District and the Ovia Federal Constituency, following the elevation of Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa to Governor and Deputy Governor, respectively.
Speaking at a press briefing in Benin City, the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, revealed that nine political parties had successfully submitted candidates for the polls.
These include:
Action Alliance (AA)
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
Action Peoples Party (APP)
Action Democratic Party (ADP)
New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
While the Labour Party had announced Paul Okojie as its candidate for the Edo Central seat, Prof. Onuoha clarified that the party failed to comply with procedural requirements.
“From our records, the Labour Party and others didn’t invite us for their primaries,” he said.
He added that INEC did not monitor any LP primary because the party failed to notify the commission of its intention to participate.
“Some others invited us, but we got there, and their doors were locked. We could not find anyone,” he noted.
Despite the controversy, the INEC commissioner assured the public of the commission’s readiness to conduct a transparent and hitch-free election.
“The Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) has been configured, while non-sensitive materials have been deployed,” he said.
Prof. Onuoha also disclosed that 101,617 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected in the areas where the by-election will take place, out of a total 719,504 registered voters across the seven local government areas involved.
Responding to calls from the PDP for his redeployment, Onuoha stood firm and appealed for media support in maintaining electoral integrity.
“Even if you bring your brother to INEC, he can’t compromise elections because of the way the commission is structured,” he stated.
