THE Labour Party in Ondo has alleged that its logo is missing from the ballots papers that were sent to the state. This is coming less than 24 hours before the general elections.
“The omission of the Labour Party logo in the ballot paper sent to Ondo State for the Senate and House of Representative election was a deliberate act to disenfranchise our supporters,” the Labour Party said in a statement signed by its secretary in the state, Abiodun Agbaje.
The party described the omission as a deliberate act by the Independent National Electoral Commission – INEC, which is aimed at disenfranchising the LP.
“On 2™ February 2023, Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to accept the nomination of candidates of the Labour Party in 24 States.”
“The court further ordered that the commission must accept the list of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates, particularly in Ondo State, either manually or through its electronic nomination portal.”
Agbaje also claimed tha the act was specifically targeted at states with a strong supporter base.
“Why the flagrant disobedience to a court order? Unequivocally, this distasteful act which was purposely carried out and became the cynosure of all eyes yesterday ‘was targeted at states with die-hard fans of our great party,” he said.
“Sadly, if an umpire could commit such an embarrassing gaffe, it is a testament to the calls by concerned Nigerians over INEC’s honesty in the February 25 general election.”
He therefore called on the INEC to postpone these elections while advising its supporters to remain steadfast in their cause.
“Furthermore, we remain undeterred as we urge our esteemed supporters to remain focused and stay away from unnecessary distraction, aS we shall lawfully pursue the course until victory is ascertained.”