The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that it is yet to make any formal decision concerning the ongoing leadership tussles within the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday evening through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi. The clarification comes in response to widespread reports suggesting that the electoral body had affirmed Julius Abure as the national chairman of the LP and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the national secretary of the PDP.
According to Oyekanmi, such reports are false and misleading. He stressed that no official recognition has been granted to any individual or faction in either party. “Our attention has been drawn to media reports claiming that the Commission has recognised certain persons as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Labour Party,” the statement said. “The reports also suggest that the Commission reinstated an individual as the National Secretary of the PDP, based on names listed on our website. These claims are inaccurate.”
Oyekanmi explained that the names of LP officials had previously been uploaded to INEC’s website based on a court directive and were not connected to the recent Supreme Court ruling involving the party. Similarly, he noted that the status of the PDP’s national secretary listing on the website remained unchanged.
“As a law-abiding institution, the Commission is currently studying the Supreme Court’s judgment concerning the Labour Party. Once a decision is reached, it will be communicated publicly in due course,” he added.
The clarification from INEC comes amid heightened political tensions and speculation, as both parties continue to grapple with internal leadership disputes ahead of critical election cycles.
