The leadership of the Labour Party has frowned at the omission by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its candidates for the August 16, 2025 bye election, describing the action as unlawful, surprising and an abuse of power by the commission.
“As a registered political party in Nigeria, Labour Party is very much aware of its rights as specified in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Acts 2022 as amended as regards to its powers to sponsor candidates in elections”, it said in a statement issued at the weekend.
Signed by its spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, LP said “the party is also aware that the INEC has no powers to either stop it from sponsoring candidates nor cherry pick elections where it deems fit for our party to field candidates.
“It is on record that no court in Nigeria, including the Supreme Court has derecognised the present leadership of the Labour Party. It is also a fact that the April 4, 2025 judgement of the Supreme Court ruled only on the lack of the jurisdiction of the lower court and Court of Appeal.
“The Supreme Court did not rule on the substantive matter as courts, including the Supreme Court is bared from entertaining cases on the internal matters of any political party. The Supreme Court in its wisdom ruled that parties should resolve its problems within the available mechanism as provided by its constitutions.
“At no point did the Supreme Court empowered INEC to interfere with the internal matters of the political party. INEC, being a regulatory body must limit itself to the provisions of the laws that instituted it. INEC cannot stop political parties from fielding candidates in an election, provided the political parties abided by the requirement of the Electoral Acts.
“We are by this statement asking INEC to enlist our duly nominated candidates for the August 16 bye-election without further delay and also refrain from interfering with the internal matters of the Labour Party. INEC cannot arrogate to itself the powers of the courts or give different interpretation to a clear judgement of the apex court.
The actions of the INEC if not redressed immediately will be challenged. The Labour Party as a responsible organization will do everything within the law to ensure that all efforts by INEC to intimidate, harass and ridicule the Labour Party will be resisted.”
