The Independent National Electoral Commission has excluded the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party from participating in the upcoming August 16 by-elections, citing a Supreme Court judgment that questioned the legitimacy of the faction’s leadership.
According to reports, INEC omitted all candidates nominated by the Abure faction from its final list of participants for the nationwide by-elections. The electoral commission justified its decision by referencing the Supreme Court judgment of April 4, 2025, which determined that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman ended on June 8, 2023.
INEC further stated that it did not monitor the primaries conducted by the Abure-led faction, rendering the nominations invalid under the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The Labour Party has strongly condemned INEC’s action, with National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh describing the exclusion as “unlawful, surprising and an abuse of power” by the commission. In a detailed statement, Ifoh argued that the party retains its constitutional rights to sponsor candidates in elections regardless of internal leadership disputes.
“It is on record that no court in Nigeria, including the Supreme Court has derecognised the present leadership of the Labour Party,” Ifoh stated. “It is also a fact that the April 4, 2025, judgement of the Supreme Court ruled only on the lack of the jurisdiction of the lower court and Court of Appeal.”
The party spokesperson emphasized that the Supreme Court did not make substantive rulings on the party’s internal matters, as courts are prohibited from entertaining cases involving political parties’ internal affairs. Instead, he noted that the apex court advised parties to resolve their disputes through mechanisms provided in their constitutions.
Ifoh challenged INEC’s authority to interfere in political party internal matters, arguing that the commission lacks the power to prevent parties from fielding candidates as long as they comply with Electoral Act requirements. He accused INEC of overstepping its mandate by attempting to interpret court judgments and arrogating judicial powers to itself.
The Labour Party has demanded that INEC immediately enlist its nominated candidates for the August 16 by-elections and warned that continued interference would face legal challenges. The party described itself as “not for sale” and vowed to resist what it termed intimidation and harassment by the electoral commission.
“The actions of the INEC if not redressed immediately will be challenged,” Ifoh declared. “Labour Party as a responsible organisation will do everything within the law to ensure that all efforts by INEC to intimidate, harass and ridicule the Labour Party will be resisted.”
The party, which has operated for 23 years and describes itself as representing the masses, expressed concern that INEC’s actions could result in significant financial losses and undermine the democratic process. Labour Party officials called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue advocating for electoral reforms.
The party assured its candidates to remain calm, promising to pursue all legal avenues to ensure their participation in the upcoming by-elections and future electoral contests.
