Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified reports alleging the exclusion of the Labour Party from the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections scheduled for Saturday, 21st February, 2026.
The clarification was contained in a press statement signed by the Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, on Wednesday, 7th January 2026, followed a protest by some supporters of the Labour Party at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, 5th January, 2026. The protesters had accused INEC of denying the party access codes to upload the names of its candidates for the election. This was contained in INEC Daily Bulletin, Volume 2, Number 421 of January 7, 2026.
Explaining the Commission’s position, the Director noted that the Labour Party has been enmeshed in prolonged internal leadership disputes since 2024, which culminated in the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on 4th April, 2025, in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025 (Usman v. Labour Party). The Apex Court, she stated, unequivocally held that the tenure of the Barrister Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired. Despite the clear pronouncement, the Abure-led faction reportedly proceeded to conduct primaries for the August 16, 2025 by-elections and the forthcoming FCT Area Council Elections.
The Commission further recalled that the Abure-led faction challenged its exclusion from the bye-elections in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1523/2025 – Labour Party v. INEC at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Judgment delivered on 15th August, 2025, dismissed the suit, upheld the Supreme Court’s decision, and affirmed INEC’s position that Barr. Julius Abure was no longer recognised as the National Chairman of the party.
According to the Director, the Labour Party thereafter filed multiple suits in different courts seeking orders compelling the Commission to issue access codes for the upload of its candidates for the FCT Area Council Elections. These suits include matters before the Nasarawa State High Court, Akwanga Division; the Federal High Court, Abuja; and the FCT High Court, Jabi Division, where a motion filed by the party has been adjourned to 15th January, 2026 for hearing.
The statement added that while the matter at the Jabi Division was pending, the Labour Party instituted another suit at the FCT High Court, Life Camp Division, where an interim ex parte order was granted on 16th December, 2025 directing INEC to upload the names of its candidates. However, the Court expressly stated that the order would lapse after seven days unless extended. The Commission promptly filed its defence challenging the competence of the suit, and the interim order subsequently lapsed on 23rd December 2025 without extension.
Consequently, the Commission emphasised that there is presently no subsisting court order compelling it to issue access codes to the Labour Party for the FCT Area Council Elections. As the matter remains sub judice, INEC reaffirmed that it will continue to respect the sanctity of the judicial process and await the final determination of the pending cases.
The Director reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and its Regulations and Guidelines, stressing that political parties must conduct their internal affairs in line with democratic principles and the rule of law.
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