The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it did not monitor the State Congress of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State.
On Tuesday, the APC conducted its State Congress at the Dome International Events Centre, Akure.
The hurriedly organized event produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s aide, Babatunde Kolawole, as chairman and Alex Kalejaye as Secretary.
Thefrontrank reports that the Congress was held in deviance to a Federal High Court order stopping its conduct.
Speaking on the conduct of Congress, INEC explained that it was absent during the congress following the court’s restraining order.
Speaking on the commission’s absence, the Resident Electoral Commissioner’s spokesperson in the state, Yinka Ogunseye, said INEC officials did not attend because there was no directive from its headquarters and in view of the court order restraining the exercise.
“There was no instruction from our headquarters for us to monitor the congress, and we cannot act in disobedience of a court injunction,” Ogunseye stated.
A Federal High Court sitting in Akure had on Monday issued an ex parte order restraining INEC and the APC from proceeding with the congress following an application filed by some aggrieved members of the party.
In his reaction, the newly elected State Secretary, Kalejaiye, said the party was not officially served with any court order prior to the congress.
He explained that the state chapter acted based on directives from the party’s national leadership.
“To the best of our knowledge, the National Secretariat duly informed INEC about this congress. We were therefore surprised not to see their representatives present,” he said.
He added that the party proceeded on the understanding that there was no legal impediment communicated to it.
Addressing party members at the congress, Governor Aiyedatiwa urged members to uphold unity, discipline and internal democracy.
