Abure-Led Labour party celebrates court order mandating INEC to accept candidate list

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has welcomed a recent court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grant it access to upload the names of its candidates for the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections and other bye-elections.

In a statement on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Obiora Ifoh, hailed the decision by the Nasarawa State High Court as a major victory and a step toward correcting what he described as “persistent injustices” against the party’s authentic leadership.

“We received this intervention with a heart full of gratitude,” Ifoh said. “We are hopeful that INEC, as a law-abiding institution, will act swiftly and publish the names of our nominees for the bye-election and the FCT Area Council elections without further delay.”

He, however, criticized INEC for what he called deliberate systemic obstruction, claiming Labour Party candidates have been denied fair opportunity to campaign due to delayed access to the nomination process.

“Our candidates, through no fault of theirs, have been prevented from campaigning like others. This is part of a recurring pattern by INEC to sideline Labour Party candidates in the electoral process,” he added, citing a previous incident in Ondo State where the LP governorship candidate reportedly received access credentials just 24 hours before the election.

“We will no longer tolerate this kind of treatment,” Ifoh warned.

Despite the challenges, he urged party members and candidates to remain resolute. “Labour Party is a household name. We expect nothing less than victory in all the contested positions. We call on our supporters to demonstrate their unshakable spirit and rally behind our candidates once again.”

The court, in its ruling delivered on July 23, 2025, by Hon. Justice Mustapha A. Ramat of the Nasarawa State High Court (Suit No. NSD/LF.84/2024), granted an interlocutory order recognizing Julius Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the legitimate leaders of the Labour Party. The court also directed INEC to provide them with the access codes required to upload candidates’ details for the forthcoming elections.

So far, INEC has not published the list of candidates nominated by the Labour Party for the bye-elections set to hold this Saturday, as well as the FCT Council elections slated for early 2026.