The Labour Party in Nigeria has raised serious legal concerns over the upcoming by-elections scheduled for August 16, 2025. The party has warned of possible court action to halt the by-elections due to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) alleged omission of Labour Party candidates from the election ballot at the last minute. This omission is being contested by the Labour Party as unlawful and an abuse of power by INEC.
The Labour Party asserts that no court, including the Supreme Court, has derecognized its leadership, and therefore INEC has no legal authority to interfere with the party’s internal matters or exclude its candidates. The party referenced the Electoral Act of 2022 which stipulates the rights of registered political parties to sponsor candidates in elections without arbitrary interference. The Labour Party contends that INEC’s decision undermines the constitutional and legal frameworks protecting their participation in elections.
Further complicating the situation is a recent High Court order in Nasarawa State directing INEC to recognize the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party and grant them access to upload their candidates for the by-election. Despite this court order, Labour Party leaders claim INEC has still failed to list their candidates on the ballot, which prompted the party to vow to challenge the process in court and resist any intimidation or harassment intended to restrict their electoral participation.
The Labour Party’s stance is that proceeding with the by-elections without their candidates on the ballot would not only disenfranchise their supporters but also waste public resources and undermine the credibility of the electoral process. They are calling on INEC to comply promptly with the legal directives and respect the internal mechanisms that govern political party leadership and candidate nominations.
This legal tension highlights the fraught intersection of party politics, judicial oversight, and electoral administration in Nigeria. It raises broader questions about the role of INEC in respecting the autonomy of political parties while ensuring transparent and fair elections. The unfolding developments could set important precedents for how internal party disputes are managed in relation to electoral participation.
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