INEC Verification Team Visits Labour Party Secretariat to Assess Leadership and Records
A verification delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted a visit to the National Secretariat of the Labour Party, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, on Wednesday. The team's objective was to thoroughly evaluate the party's leadership structure, membership records, and documentation related to its office premises, as part of a broader verification exercise aimed at ensuring compliance with INEC standards.
Monitoring Mission Focuses on Compliance and Documentation
The team, headed by Mallam Mansur Hassan, clarified that their role was not merely observational but involved active monitoring and correction. "We are INEC monitors, we are not observers. We are here to monitor and correct things, not observe," Hassan stated during the exercise. He emphasized that the verification would cover several key areas, including the presence of party executives as recorded by INEC, the composition of the National Working Committee in accordance with the Labour Party Constitution, and documentation proving the party's tenancy or ownership of the secretariat.
"We want to have a look at evidence of the tenancy of this place (Secretariat), the tenancy agreement, receipt of ownership or possession. We will sight the document and have a copy of it," Hassan added. Furthermore, the delegation planned to request a soft copy of the party's membership register and verify the presence of staff at the secretariat, dividing into groups to assess internal party operations comprehensively.
Labour Party Leadership Assures Full Cooperation and Stresses Unity
In response, Senator Nenadi Usman, the interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, welcomed the INEC team and assured them of the party's full cooperation. She highlighted that despite recent challenges, the party's leadership remained stable and members had shown commitment during a turbulent period now behind them. "I know that most people found it difficult to come here today because our congresses are starting tomorrow and all politics is local," she remarked, underscoring the timing of the visit amidst party activities.
Usman emphasized the importance of unity and inclusiveness within the party, calling for collective effort in rebuilding. "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," she stated. She extended an olive branch to aggrieved members, urging reconciliation and a return to collaborative work for the party's growth, with aspirations to make it the largest party in the country.
Regarding recent legal developments, Usman noted, "About the judgement we got in court yesterday, it is no victor, no vanquished," reflecting a conciliatory tone. She later presented files containing the requested documents to the INEC delegation and guided them on a tour of the secretariat's offices and conference rooms, demonstrating transparency and readiness to comply with the verification process.
