A pressure group within the Labour Party, LP, known as Catalyst Committee, CC, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Judiciary not to succumb to political pressure and show conformity to the rule of law and the Electoral Act 2022, as amended, with regard to the candidacy of the party.
The group made the call against the background of the legal case instituted by Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon against the party’s Governorship Candidate, Olumide Akpata.
In a statement by its Coordinator, Dr. Abel Oarhe, the Catalyst Committee noted that the call became necessary as some “money bags” were out to ensure that justice was not served, and warned that any attempt by the electoral body to shift the goal post would create disruption in the nation’s political system.
Recall that Imasuangbon had dragged Akpata to the Federal High Court in Abuja and Benin City seeking interpretation of the constitution as regards the emergence of Akpata as the party’s candidate.
The group said: “INEC should know that Olumide Akpata is not the only one that is in the contest but there are other 16 gubernatorial aspirants in the contest. Therefore, INEC and the judiciary cannot afford to be seen shifting the goal post in violation of the clear guideline and rule of law.
“It must be emphasised that inability to obey the law is a clear ground for disqualification. So nobody should pamper any candidate who has deliberately violated the provision of the electoral laws or INEC’s guideline.
“The Judiciary and INEC should know that the people are watching and it is not about Olumide of the Labour party but the entire process.”
