***Drags INEC, APC Others to Tribunal
LABOUR PARTY CAMPAIGN COUNCIL ONDO STATE
PRESS RELEASE
LABOUR PARTY CHALLENGES INEC, OTHERS ON THE EXCLUSION OF ITS CANDIDATES FROM NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS.
The Ondo State Chapter of the Labour Party has dragged the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and the candidates declared winners in the elections to the House of Representatives and the Senate on the to the Elections Petition on the ground that the party’s name and symbol were excluded on the ballot papers during the elections held on the 25th February 2023.
The party considers it necessary to challenge the unlawful exclusion of the party and its candidates in the Akoko South East/ South West; Akure North/South; Okiti-pupa/Irele; Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituencies and the Ondo Central Senatorial District.
The petitions which were filed on the 17th March 2023 on behalf of the Party and its respective candidates by a team of lawyers led by Chief Olusola Ebiseni at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal holden at Akure, had the INEC, APC and its candidates declared winners by the Commission as Respondents.
The party averred that in preparation for the election, it nominated and submitted the names of its respective candidates through a letter dated 27th October 2022 and acknowledged by the Commission.
The Commission which however flagrantly and unlawfully excluded the party’s symbol on the ballot papers used for the elections contrary to the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2022.
The sole ground of the Petitions is that “the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or noncompliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022”.
The petitioners consequently prayed.
(1) that it may be determined that the elections held on the 25th February 2023 wherein the 2nd Petitioner, though sponsored by the 1st Petitioner for the election but unlawfully excluded by the 1st Respondent is invalid and unlawful.
(2) An Order setting aside the elections.
(3) order mandating the 1st Respondent to conduct a fresh election in full compliance with the constitution and the Electoral Act wherein the 2nd Petitioner shall be allowed to participate as the candidate of the 1st petitioner in the fresh elections.
Sgd.
Abiodun Ambode (PhD)
Ondo State Coordinator
Labour Party Campaigns Council.