A High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must recognise Julius Abure as the legitimate chairman of the Labour Party and grant his faction access to upload candidates for this weekend’s bye-election.
The order, issued by Justice Mustapha Ramat of the Nasarawa State High Court on 23 July, compels INEC to accept only nominees submitted by Abure’s leadership ahead of Saturday’s poll. It also restrains the electoral body from dealing with any other faction claiming authority over the party.
Labour Party spokesman Obiora Ifoh hailed the ruling as “a welcome development that corrects the injustices against our legitimate leadership.” He urged INEC to comply immediately, saying, “As a law-abiding institution, we expect them to publish our candidates’ names without further delay.”
However, he expressed frustration over the delayed court intervention, noting that Labour Party candidates had been denied adequate campaign time. “This systemic exclusion must end,” Ifoh said. “In Ondo, our governorship candidate got access codes barely 24 hours before voting. We will no longer tolerate such discrimination.”
The court also scheduled a hearing for 22 September to resolve the underlying dispute over the party’s leadership. INEC has yet to comment on the ruling.
With the bye-election just days away, the Labour Party called on supporters to “remain steadfast” despite the challenges. “Our candidates will win,” Ifoh insisted. “The people know the truth.”
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