The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has turned down invitations from three rival factions of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, each seeking to have the commission observe their primaries ahead of the July 12 local government elections in the state.

This development was announced by LASIEC Chairperson, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.), during a stakeholders’ forum held in Ikeja on Thursday.

The event was themed “Enhancing a Credible and Inclusive Local Government Election in Lagos”.

According to Okikiolu-Ighile, each LP faction separately requested LASIEC’s presence at their primary elections.

“Three factions of the Labour Party in Lagos invited us to observe their primaries,” she said.

However, LASIEC declined all invitations, citing the internal division within the party.

“LASIEC officials did not attend their primaries today (Thursday) because of the perceived division in the party,” she explained.

Okikiolu-Ighile further noted that LASIEC is currently awaiting advice from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine how to proceed with the Labour Party’s involvement in the local polls.

“We are waiting for INEC’s advice on the next steps regarding the situation with the LP,” she added.

THE WHISTLER reports that the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State chapter of the LP deepened on Monday as a factional chairman, Mrs Dayo Ekong, refuted claims of her suspension by another faction of the party loyal to Senator Nenadi Esther Usman.

In a rebuttal, Ekong dismissed the purported suspension announced by a 24-member caretaker committee led by Rotimi Odunaike and Dorcas Omorodion, describing it as illegal and an act of impersonation.

“The so-called ‘suspensions’ announced by a group of unauthorised individuals have no legal or constitutional bearing within the Labour Party.

“The group led by one Rotimi Odunaike remains an illegitimate faction, currently in contempt of court, and has repeatedly acted outside the provisions of the party’s constitution.

“Their pronouncements carry no weight and are not recognised by the national leadership of the party under Barrister Julius Abure,” Ekong stated.

Odunaike’s group had on Sunday announced a six-month suspension of Ekong and other party officials over alleged anti-party activities, citing “gross misconduct” and violations of party rules.

The group also declared the immediate dissolution of all ward and local government executives constituted by the Ekong-led executive committee.

However, Ekong fired back, warning that the public should not be misled by what she called a “well-funded” campaign of disinformation designed to destabilise the party in Lagos.

She reaffirmed her leadership, stating that her administration was the only legally recognised and duly affirmed leadership structure in Lagos, committed to due process and party discipline.

Ekong further alleged that the individuals parading themselves as party officials are either expelled or suspended members whose current actions amount to criminal impersonation.