Politics
LP Tasks INEC, Secrurity Agencies On Fairness
Ahead of the this year’s general elections, the Labour Party has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a level playing field for all political parties fielding candidates for the polls in Rivers State.
Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Rivers State, Isaac Wonwu stated this lastWednesday when he led other candidates of the party on a courtesy call to the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at its Secretariat in Port Harcourt.
Wonwu said he was at the NUJ Secretariat to appreciate the role played by the media in political activities in the state and Nigeria at large, pointing out that the media was invaluable in actualizing democracy in the country.
He further said, “The media has remained the voice of the voiceless. We (Labour Party) attach high importance to the NUJ, hence we are here to appreciate and see how we can partner with the media houses in the Rivers State.
“As a political party in a democratic dispensation journalists have a lot of role to play. We want to believe that working with the NUJ we will be able to enthrone the dividends of democracy,” Wonwu stated,
He said that the party will be non-violent in its activities going into the elections and promised to respect the rules set by INEC and the security agencies, while urging the media to help monitor the activities of the two agencies in order to ensure fairness to all parties.
According to him,“The media has a lot of role to play to checkmate the excesses of the political parties. To checkmate the excesses of the security agencies and INEC in particular. We are appealing that you be our watchword as we pray that INEC and the security agencies will give a level playing ground for all of us to play the game,”
While seeking the partnership of the NUJ in achieving its goals, he said the party will give priority to agriculture development as a measure revenue earner and a source of employment for the teeming youths of the state as well as the provision of basic education for the people.
In his response, the State NUJ Chairman, Stanley Job Stanley welcomed Wonwu and his team to the union’s secretariat saying, “This is the first political party that has deemed it necessary to visit the NUJ,” and thanked him for appreciating the role of the media in the society,
Stanley appealed to political parties aspiring for elective positions to go about their campaigns and the main elections peacefully and urged them see journalist as partners in progress saying the latter is duty bound to cover the elections and inform the public; even as he lauded the party for its programmes.
“I want every stakeholder to ensure that journalists are given adequate protection. I also want to call on INEC to give all the parties a level playing ground. On our part we too we are ready to do what we can to assist those who need our assistance. I welcome you to our secretariat and wish you well in your electioneering campaign,” he said.
The State NUj chairman also said that the media will continue to ensure that democracy thrives in Nigeria, adding that, “We will continue to do our work and we will remain unbiased. I want to assure you that most of my colleagues are professionals and they will go about their duties professionally,” Stanley stated.
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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