The national leadership of the Labour Party has emphatically distanced itself from a planned protest scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. In a statement released on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Mr. Ken Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Interim National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, clarified that the party has no affiliation with the proposed demonstration. The statement explicitly warned that individuals participating in the protest are acting without the party’s consent and should be considered impostors. This announcement comes amidst an internal power struggle within the Labour Party and raises questions about the legitimacy of various factions claiming representation.
The Labour Party’s statement highlighted the unauthorized nature of the planned protest, emphasizing that the organizers are unknown to the party’s leadership and lack any official endorsement. The statement explicitly cautioned the public against participating in or promoting the protest, reiterating that such involvement would be deemed unsanctioned and without the party’s blessing. The party’s firm stance signals its commitment to maintaining control over its image and actions, while also attempting to quell potential unrest and confusion surrounding its internal affairs.
The backdrop to this disavowal of the protest is the ongoing dispute within the Labour Party regarding its legitimate leadership. The party’s statement referenced INEC’s recent rejection of a list of candidates for upcoming bye-elections and local council elections submitted by former chairman Julius Abure and his faction. The party expressed satisfaction with INEC’s decision, interpreting it as an acknowledgement of the current leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman. This move further underscores the deep divisions within the party and the struggle for recognition and control.
The Labour Party urged INEC to maintain its position and continue to disregard the actions of individuals it deems to be operating outside the party’s legitimate structure. The statement characterized the actions of the former chairman and his group as “desperate antics,” emphasizing that their tenure expired on June 8, 2023, a decision affirmed by the Supreme Court on April 4, 2025. The party reiterated its call for INEC to update its official records to reflect the current leadership as recognized by the Supreme Court, further solidifying its claim to legitimacy.
In addition to addressing INEC, the Labour Party also called upon security agencies to intervene and prevent the unauthorized protest. The statement explicitly labeled the organizers as “political impersonators and mischief-makers” and demanded their immediate arrest and prosecution. This strong stance demonstrates the party’s determination to maintain order and prevent any actions that could potentially damage its reputation or further exacerbate internal divisions.
The Labour Party’s forceful disavowal of the planned protest reflects a broader struggle for control and legitimacy within the party. The ongoing internal conflict, compounded by the involvement of INEC and the Supreme Court, highlights the complexities of Nigerian politics and the challenges faced by political parties in maintaining unity and cohesion. The party’s call for the arrest and prosecution of the protest organizers underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential for further escalation. The events surrounding this planned protest serve as a microcosm of the broader political landscape, revealing the tensions and power dynamics at play within Nigeria’s political system.
