The Labour Party, LP, has reacted to the decision of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Asaba, Delta State, which fired Ngozi Okolie, the House of Representatives member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Constituency.
The party expressed dismay at the court’s decision, claiming that it is not in accordance with the law.
This was stated in a statement made on Tuesday in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.
Remember that on Monday, the court declared Okolie’s election as a member of the House of Representatives invalid and declared Ndudi Elumelu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the legitimate winner.
The court ruled that the LP candidate was ineligible to run in the election.
The LP, on the other hand, argued that an action based on determining membership in a political party is not justiciable, and that the tribunal’s decision is not acceptable to it.
The party also stated that it intends to appeal the decision.
“We note that the judgement is clearly at odds with the position of the law that has already been established by superior courts, including the Supreme Court.” The nomination of candidates and membership are internal party matters beyond the authority of the courts. Only a political party can decide who its members are and who should be its flag bearer in an election.
“The courts have held in a plethora of cases that the court has no jurisdiction to intervene in the internal affairs of a political party,” according to the party’s statement.
While the party said that prominent persons in Delta State were involved in the matter and that it expected some arm-twisting and political bravado, it advised supporters to remain calm because the party would ensure that none of its mandates were stolen away.
