The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has disclosed that the Labour Party (LP) in the state is currently fragmented into three distinct factions, all of which separately invited the commission to monitor their local government primary elections.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum held on Thursday in Ikeja, the LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.), confirmed the internal rift, noting that the electoral body received invitations from all three LP factions ahead of the July 12 local government polls.
“Three factions of the Labour Party in Lagos invited us to observe their primaries,” Justice Ighile said, raising concerns over the legitimacy and coordination of the party’s electoral process.
Due to the division, she said LASIEC officials declined to attend any of the primaries, pending clarification on which faction holds the official mandate.
She further stated that LASIEC would seek guidance from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before taking any further steps.
“We are waiting for INEC’s advice on how to proceed,” she said.
The ongoing leadership tussle within the Labour Party could affect the party’s readiness and eligibility in the upcoming polls, where it is expected to challenge dominant parties across Lagos’s 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.
More details are expected as the situation develops.
