Arewa Labour Party Stakeholders Demand Recognition of Omar as Interim Chair, Threaten to Occupy INEC Offices
The North-East Chapter of Arewa Labour Party Stakeholders Forum (ALPSF) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for evicting Barr. Julius Abure, the former National Chairman of the Labour Party, from a quarterly meeting with political parties. However, the group has condemned INEC’s non-recognition of Comrade Abdulwahed Omar as the interim chairman of the party.
In a press statement, the group’s President, Mallam Danjuma BA Dikko, and Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Bakut Abba-Wilson, expressed their support for INEC’s decision to de-recognize Abure’s leadership, citing the expiration of his tenure and his refusal to obey a valid court consent judgment and regulatory agreement.
The group accused INEC of bias against the Labour Party for not inviting the caretaker leadership led by Omar to the quarterly meeting. They argued that the transition committee led by Omar was set up in compliance with the consent judgment and regulatory agreement brokered by INEC.
The ALPSF threatened to occupy INEC offices nationwide if the commission fails to recognize Omar’s leadership within five days. They also demanded a public apology and the uploading of Omar’s name to the INEC website to enable the party to participate in ongoing and upcoming elections.
The group warned that if INEC allows the leadership vacuum to continue, they will mobilize their “people’s power” to ensure the removal of INEC Chairman Prof. Yakubu Mahmood. They also threatened to demand the rescheduling of elections to save the Labour Party from disadvantage.
The ALPSF emphasized that the ongoing and upcoming elections are for the Labour Party to win, not just participate in. They concluded by saying, “Enough is Enough!”
