Yunusa Tanko, a key member of the Labour Party, has stated that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can determine the legality of the recent intervention by Governor Alex Otti and Peter Obi in the party.
The intervention led to the formation of a 29-member caretaker committee, chaired by former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, to manage the party temporarily. Senator Darlington Nwokocha was appointed as Secretary of this committee.
Tanko, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, emphasised that the legality of this intervention is a matter for INEC to decide, as they are the official electoral authority.
“It is left for INEC to look at the legality and make pronouncement. So, I have nothing to do with that at the moment because they are the electoral umpire. They know what the law says, it is better for them to make the pronouncement,” he said.
The Julius Abure-led faction of the party has rejected the caretaker committee, claiming the meeting convened by Otti was illegal and urging Nigerians to disregard its outcomes.
They also lambasted the party’s decision to appoint Nenadi Usman as its Chairperson, pointing out that she is not a registered member of the party and was only involved in supporting Peter Obi’s presidential campaign.
This controversy has stirred up reactions from members of the party and members of the general public alike.