The Labour Party in Ondo State has expressed shock at the reluctance, refusal of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer to declare the winner of the By-election into Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.

In a statement by the Acting Chairman of the party in the state, Dele Akinyele, the party noted that the election took place and returns were made in 21 out of 22 wards that made up the Federal Constituency, and the returning officer’s duty was to collate the lawful votes from various units and wards, and declare the candidate that scored majority of lawful votes.

The statement further read, “The election tribunal, which was constituted by the President of the Court of Appeal has the sole responsibility and duty to determine any complaint of irregularity or compliance, or non-compliance with the law.

“The use of the word ‘inconclusive’ introduced by the Returning Officer to abort the will of the people will not be applicable in this case because the only conditions  for declaration is that, the candidate must score majority of lawful votes; which has been satisfied in this case.”

The party insisted that the “introduction” of the word ‘inconclusive’ could only be applicable where there were additional requirement of spread before a winner could be declared as it is required in the presidential and governorship elections.

It further expressed the belief that the reluctance or refusal of the Returning Officer to declare or announce the “obvious winner” of the election constitutes grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy.

The Labour Party then called on the Returning Officer and INEC leadership to declare the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Kolade Akinjo, who it claimed scored majority of lawful votes from the collated results as winner of the election.