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Following the omission of candidates' names uproar created by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) final list for Presidential and National Assembly candidates list for the 2023 general election, affected candidates have commenced making Inquiries to ascertain the true position on the matter
Labour Party being the Third Force in the nation's political space is not immune to the issue, as names of some house of representatives' candidates in Ogun State were conspicuously missing.
Speaking to the party National Publicity Secretary Mr. Abayomi Arabambi hinted that it was an omission from the Independent National Electoral Commission, assured it will soon be corrected.
The party through its spokesperson clarified that issues surrounding the party’s candidates for Ifo/Ewekoro, ,Abeokuta South and Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituencies in Ogun State were offshoot of the INEC omission.
After the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the list of National Assembly candidates last week, many members of the party in Ogun State were shocked that the names of some of their preferred candidates were nowhere to be found.
Addressing members of the party at a meeting in Abeokuta, the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Abayomi Arabambi said INEC failed to update the list of Labour Party candidates in the affected constituencies.
According to Arabambi, the names that still appeared on INEC list were used as mere place holders, saying that they have withdrawn from the race.
Arabambi clarified that Bamidele Ajayi is now the candidate of Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, stressing that the placeholder had submitted a sworn affidavit announcing his withdrawal from the race.
“When we held our primaries, we had some people used as placeholders. There is provision for this in the electoral act. “We all know there is room for substitution. In Ifo/Ewekoro and other Federal Constituencies in the state
For Ifo/Ewekoro Constituency, we used Simon Olubode Samuel as the placeholder.
He has withdrawn from the race. He stepped down for Honourable Bamidele Ajayi.
This means no one else can contest for the House of Representatives under the Labour Party in that Federal Constituency aside from Honourable Bamidele Ajayi.
He is our candidate for Ifo/ Ewekoro Federal Constituency candidate" Arabambi declared.
Speaking to newsmen the party’s spokesman disclosed that the matter of candidacy is being addressed, expressing confidence that “all our candidates will contest the elections.”
He said the list released by INEC cannot be the final list as ”the electoral act gives room for substitution of candidates till 90 days before the election.”
While reacting to the development, Honourable Bamidele Ajayi admonished his supporters to remain calm, saying the omission of his name was mere administrative error.
"I have informed my people to remain calm, that it's not a setback at all.
The party chairman Comrade Micheal Seyi Asade and the national Publicity Secretary have assured us that it will be resolved in due course".
Let me place this on records, Labour Party is the only party now that has what it takes to rescue Nigeria from debacles the country suffered under the 16 years of PDP and becomes grievous in the 7 years counting under the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) reigns. he assured.