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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State has said it was not aware of the existence of any faction or division within the rank and file of the Labour Party (LP) in the state as alleged by the opposition.

The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, who made the revelation in Akure the State capital, yesterday, said he was surprised to read such unfounded report, even when the Commission witnessed LP’s congress, which produced Chief Olu Ogidan, as the chairman. Orebiyi affirmed that the Ogidan-led Executive Committee (EXCO) was duly recognised by the Commission.

Orebiyi spoke against the backdrop of media reports insinuating the existence of two factions of the party led separately by Ogidan and one Kunle Odidi.

The REC who spoke after a stakeholder’s meeting said the Commission is not aware of any division in LP.
Putting a lie to the claim of the opposition about the purported fictionalisation of the party, Orebiyi said it was not possible for anybody to stand on what he doesn’t know.

“We are not aware of any issues concerning factions in Labour Party.” The REC affirmed, asking rhetorically that “How can you stand on what you don’t know?” he said.
The REC accused some electronic media of heating up the polity unnecessarily, as he submitted that some of the presentations on radio were alarming and false.

“You can turn down adverts, interviews or presentations.  Let us play politics clean. I am sad because I am a member of the media, that’s why I am emphasising this. They are not doing it well, both the state-owned and privately owned, they are not doing well and I hope the print media is also not joining them.” the REC said.

Giving credence to the submission of Orebiyi, the state’s LP said the party was intact and that Ogidan remains its undisputed Chairman, maintaining that Odidi is a card-carrying member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), hence, he can not be a factional chairman of the party.