Labour Party on Thursday rejected plan by a factional National chairman of the Labour Party, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam to adopt Olusegun Mimiko as the party’s presidential flag bearer for the 2019 general elections.
DAILY POST reports that Mimiko, a two-term governor of Ondo State, had on Thursday declared his intention to run for presidency on the platform of the Labour Party.
He had said, “I have found it compelling to declare my intention to run for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
However, Mrs Ebere Ifendu, National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party reacting to the news, in a statement, warned Nigerians and political aspirants to disregard Mimiko’s announcement as its presidential candidate, since neither the national executive council nor the national convention were notified.
She further issued warning to other aspirants to desist from going against the constitution of the party and to disregard Alhaji A. A. Salam.
Her statement read “It has become necessary for the leadership of the Labour Party to draw the attention of the general public to the fraudulent collection of Expression of Interest and Nomination Form fees from innocent and unsuspecting political aspirants.
“That is for those who desire to contest various elective positions under the Labour Party through Alhaji A. A. Salam, the former national chairman of the party.
“It would be recalled that A. A. Salam was removed at the special national convention of the party held on 3rd October, 2017.
“This illegality was also confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission report, presented by the three INEC officials that were detailed to supervise its conduct.
“Credible information reaching us revealed that A. A. Salam concluded arrangements to pull a rented crowd to declare Olusegun Mimiko as the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate.
“This illegal event in Abuja on Thursday, 13th September is a total violation of Article 27, section 1, subsection i and ii of the Labour Party’s constitution.
“Where the National Executive Council identifies a credible and nationally acceptable person, it shall nominate and present such a person for ratification only at the national convention as the party’s presidential candidate.
“The same rule applies to the nomination of a gubernatorial candidate in section 3, subsection i & ii, in the case of which the state Congress is saddled with the responsibility of pronouncing their gubernatorial candidate.
“All intending aspirants and candidates, willing to contest elections under Labour Party, should desist from dealing with A. A. Salam and Julius Abure on election matters. Those who make payments to them do so at their own risk.
“Consequently, the party hereby disowns and rejects Olusegun Mimiko as its presidential candidate, since neither the national executive council nor the national convention has been notified, as provided in the party’s constitution referred to above.
“Be informed also that a court contempt proceeding has been served on A. A. Salam and his gang leaders.
“Any attempt by them to convene an illegal NEC convention or any gathering of such similitude will amount to a court contempt and a total disregard for the rule of law.”
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