Labour Party Slams INEC Over Candidate Omission

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has expressed strong dissatisfaction over what it described as the unlawful exclusion of its candidates from the upcoming bye-elections scheduled to hold on August 16, 2025.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, condemned the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as an abuse of power and a violation of the party’s constitutional rights.

According to the statement, the Labour Party, duly registered under Nigerian law, is fully aware of its rights to sponsor candidates for any election as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended).

The party argued that INEC had no legal authority to prevent it from fielding candidates or to selectively determine elections in which the party may participate.

“It is on record that no court in Nigeria, including the Supreme Court, has derecognized the present leadership of the Labour Party,” the statement read. “The Supreme Court’s judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, ruled only on the lack of jurisdiction of the lower court and the Court of Appeal.

“The substantive issues were never determined because courts, including the Supreme Court, are barred from delving into the internal matters of any political party.”

The Labour Party stressed that the Supreme Court clearly advised that internal disputes should be resolved through mechanisms provided in each party’s constitution, rather than through litigation.

Describing the omission as both surprising and suspicious, the party announced its readiness to challenge INEC’s action through the appropriate legal channels.

“The Labour Party will not fold its arms while constitutional breaches are perpetrated to undermine democracy and subvert the will of Nigerians,” the statement added. “We shall be approaching the court to seek redress and to ensure that our candidates, who have fulfilled all requirements, are included on the ballot.”

The August 16 bye-elections have attracted significant public interest, with several parties jostling to fill vacant seats across various constituencies.

The Labour Party, which gained prominence in the 2023 general elections, has continued to grapple with internal leadership disputes, though the Abure-led faction insists it remains the authentic leadership structure.