A verification team from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday stormed the national secretariat of the Labour Party in Abuja, setting the stage for a high-stakes internal audit just hours before the party’s crucial congresses.
The visit comes barely a day after the Court of Appeal delivered a decisive blow to the faction led by Julius Abure, dismissing his appeal and affirming Nenadi Usman as the party’s national chairperson.
Leading the INEC delegation, Mansur Hassan made it clear the commission was not on a routine visit but on a mission to scrutinize the party’s claims and structure.
“We are INEC monitors, we are not observers. We are here to monitor and correct things, not observe,” he said.
“We want to verify the presence of members of the party executive (committee) in line with the commission’s records; we want to verify.
“We also want to verify the composition of the National Working Committee, as it is contained in the Labour Party Constitution.
“We want to have a look at the evidence of the tenancy of this place (party secretariat). The tenancy agreement, receipt of ownership or possession. We will sight the document and have a copy.
“We will also like to have a soft copy of the party’s membership register. We will also like to verify the secretariat staff: are they present or is the party working with just one person.
“Again, we are going to divide ourselves into groups to verify what is happening within the party.”
Earlier, speaking to party members and supporters, Usman welcomed the INEC team and declared that the Labour Party had moved past its internal crisis and was ready to rebuild.
“I know that most people found it difficult to come here today because our congresses are starting tomorrow (Thursday) and all politics is local.
“I have always said the party is not about me, it is not about anybody. We need to build a strong foundation for our party; whatever it takes to do that, we will do it.
“Irrespective of anybody’s feeling or what they think about what we are doing, without a strong political party, we really cannot make any meaningful progress.
“For some, I know they will be feeling very bad that those who fought us are now coming back, but we have extended the olive branch.
“We will continue to invite everybody, even those who were aggrieved, to please come back and let’s work together because we want the party to be the biggest party in this country.”
She urged unity among members as the party heads into its congresses.
“We love you, and we know you love the party. So, let’s put aside all that has been bothering us about who leads and who does not lead.
“Leadership will come and go; nobody can lead forever. Today is my turn as leader and after sometime, I will go and then somebody else will come and lead.
“Leaders will come and go; the party will remain. About the judgment we got in court yesterday (Tuesday), it is no victor, no vanquished.”
The INEC team was later handed documents requested for verification, after which Usman conducted them round offices and conference rooms within the secretariat, as the party braces for what could be a defining moment in its internal reorganisation.
