Electoral Reform: LP Sets Up 22-member Committee, Names Sam Amadi Chairman

•Decries hasty conduct of poll few days after party’s candidate was jailed

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Labour Party (LP), has set up a 22-member Electoral Reform Committee to articulate its position on how to reform Nigeria’s electoral system for optimal performance.

National Secretary of the party, Umar Farouk, in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, said the LP has named Dr. Sam Amadi as Chairman with Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi the current Deputy National Chairman as alternate Chairman.

The party has also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) to suspend the planned reelection for Enugu Urban State constituency  a day after its candidate for the election was jailed.

The statement read: “This is to inform members of the public that the leadership of the party has approved the follow persons to serve as members of Labour Party Electoral Reform Committee.

“They are mandated to carry out a holistic review of the electoral process that will guarantee free and fair elections. The committee is given three months to submit its report to the party. The members are as follows:

“Hon. Dr. Sam Amadi – Chairman, Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi – Alternate Chairman, Mrs Dudu Manuga – Secretary, Comrade Adekunle Rotimi – Alternate Secretary, Barrister Calistus Ihediagwa – Alternate Secretary.

“Nasiru kura, Alex Ejeseme – SAN, Hannah Amina Yahaya, Hon.Chijioke Edeoga, Sen. Tony Nwoye, Mike Igini, Hon. Benedict Etanabene, Hon. Esosa Iyawe, Nuhu Toro – (TUC), Mohammed A. Raji, Martins Egbanubi – (TUC), Mohammed Sabitu Aliyu, Obaze Oseloka, Hon. Oke-Joe Onuakalusi, Hon. Auwal Aliyu Tafoki, Prof Onje Gye-Wado and Dr. Ishaku Adam.”

The committee will be inaugurated tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the party has also called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to initiate a disciplinary action against the Attorney General of Enugu State, the Honourable Chief Judge of Enugu State, the Deputy Chief Registrar, and the controversial Magistrate, Justice E. D Onwu  for over reaching their professional dictates and bringing the judiciary to opprobrium and disrepute.

Labour Party’s Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, made these known while addressing the media in Abuja on Tuesday.

“We have it on good authority that to our utter dismay and disbelief that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) in a swift decision has fixed a reelection for Enugu Urban State constituency just a day after the unjust jailing of the election’s rightful winner.

“This hasty move undermines the principles of justice and fair play, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. We are therefore urging INEC to reconsider this decision and to suspend any further action as regards the Enugu South Rural Constituency election until further notice.

“This we believe will not gift an undue advantage to a particular party over the rest pending the conclusion of the legal processes arising from this undemocratic actions being perpetrated in Enugu state. INEC must ensure that the will of the people is respected.”