A chieftain of the Labour Party, Yunusa Tanko, has said that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can determine the legality of the recent intervention in the party by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and Peter Obi.

Governor Otti and Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, initiated the formation of a 29-member caretaker committee to temporarily lead the party. The committee is chaired by former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman.

In response to questions on the legality of this intervention during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Tanko said that it is up to INEC to assess the legality and make a pronouncement.

“It is left for INEC to look at the legality and make a pronouncement. So, I have nothing to do with that at the moment because they are the electoral umpire. They know what the law says; it is better for them to make the pronouncement,” Tanko stated.

The committee, which includes Senator Darlington Nwokocha as Secretary, has been tasked with organising an election for new leadership within 90 days.

It also comprises representatives from various interest groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Senate, the House of Representatives, the House of Assembly, and gubernatorial candidates from the last election.

However, the Labour Party leadership under Julius Abure has rejected the formation of the committee, calling the meeting convened by Governor Otti “illegal” and urging Nigerians to disregard the outcome.

A statement signed by the party’s publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, asserted that the meeting was not organised by the Labour Party and does not reflect its position or interests.

The Abure faction also expressed surprise that “the so-called chairman of the caretaker committee is not a registered member of the Party. She surfaced during the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign to assist Peter Obi in his campaign.”