The Labour Party, under the chairmanship of Julius Abure, has vehemently denounced the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its decision to exclude the party’s candidates from the upcoming bye-elections scheduled for August 16, 2025. The party characterized INEC’s action as a blatant abuse of power, an unlawful maneuver, and a profoundly shocking development. Asserting their commitment to upholding their rights, the Labour Party vowed to initiate legal proceedings to contest the exclusion and ensure their candidates’ rightful participation in the electoral process. This strong rebuke of INEC sets the stage for a potential legal battle over the legitimacy of the electoral body’s decision and its potential implications for the fairness and transparency of the upcoming bye-elections.
The Labour Party underscored its position as a legally registered political entity in Nigeria, emphasizing its awareness of the rights and privileges conferred upon it by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Acts 2022 (as amended). The party maintained that these legal frameworks grant it the unequivocal power to nominate and sponsor candidates for elections. The party also argued that INEC lacks the authority to selectively prevent them from fielding candidates or to dictate which elections they can participate in. This assertion directly challenges INEC’s justification for excluding their candidates, framing the electoral body’s actions as a transgression of established legal boundaries and an infringement on their political rights.
Central to the Labour Party’s argument is the assertion that no court of law in Nigeria, including the Supreme Court, has issued any ruling that invalidates the current leadership structure of the party. The party pointed to the Supreme Court judgement of April 4, 2025, which, according to their interpretation, addressed only the jurisdictional aspects of the case presented before it, without delving into the substantive matters concerning the party’s internal affairs. They emphasized the principle that courts, including the Supreme Court, are generally prohibited from adjudicating on the internal matters of political parties, suggesting that INEC’s action constitutes an overreach of its regulatory mandate and an encroachment on the principle of internal party autonomy.
The Labour Party further contended that the Supreme Court, in its wisdom, directed the parties involved in the dispute to resolve their internal issues through the mechanisms established within their own constitutional framework. They emphasized that the Supreme Court’s ruling did not grant INEC the authority to interfere in the internal affairs of the party. The party stressed that INEC, as a regulatory body, should confine its actions strictly to the provisions of the laws that established it and refrain from actions that could be perceived as judicial overreach or interference in the internal dynamics of political parties.
The Labour Party issued a direct call to INEC to immediately include their duly nominated candidates on the ballot for the August 16 bye-election and to desist from any further interference in the party’s internal matters. They warned that INEC’s actions, if not promptly rectified, would be met with a legal challenge. The party emphasized its commitment to utilizing all available legal avenues to resist any attempts by INEC to intimidate, harass, or undermine their position. This resolute stance underlines their determination to protect their rights and pursue legal recourse to ensure a level playing field in the electoral process.
Furthermore, the Labour Party cautioned INEC against attempting to interpret a clear judgment of the Supreme Court differently or to arrogate to itself the powers of the courts. They underscored their 23-year track record as a party representing the interests of the masses and declared their unwavering resolve to resist any attempts by politicians to impede their progress. The party firmly stated that it is not for sale and warned any institution or commission that allows itself to be used by politicians to manipulate the electoral process that it would bear the consequences. They concluded by urging their members and candidates to remain vigilant and calm, assuring them that the party would exhaust all legal means to ensure their participation in the August 16 bye-election and all future elections. This concluding statement reinforces the party’s commitment to democratic principles and their unwavering determination to protect their rights and ensure their voice is heard in the political arena.
