The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure has issued a firm clarification, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to withhold the access code for the upcoming FCT Area Council election is strictly related to pending legal cases and has no bearing on any internal leadership dispute within the party.
The clarification comes in response to statements made by suspended former senator, Darlington Nwokocha, who the party accuses of misrepresenting INEC’s position to create a false narrative of a leadership crisis.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party detailed that INEC’s published explanation, titled “RE: CLAIMS ON ACCESS CODE FOR LABOUR PARTY CANDIDATES IN THE 2026 FCT AREA COUNCIL ELECTION,” was solely focused on judicial processes. The electoral body cited “inconclusive legal actions arising from the FCT Area Council election” as its reason for withholding the code, advising that it would be proper to wait until the cases are dispensed with.
“The INEC statement simply stated that due to the inconclusive legal actions, it would be proper to wait until the cases are dispensed with. But Mr. Nwokocha in his infantile, hysterical and uncontrolled emotion misinterpreted the INEC’s statement to suit his intents,” the party’s statement read.
The Labour Party leadership used the opportunity to reiterate the legitimacy of the Barrister Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC). It emphasized that INEC, under its new Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has “regularized its relationship” with the Abure leadership. This includes inviting the party to INEC’s quarterly consultative meetings, involving it in processes for the 2026 governorship elections, and monitoring its recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and congresses.
In a direct rebuke, the statement warned Sen. Nwokocha against “impersonation” and “misinforming Nigerians,” claiming he purports to represent a “non-existent Caretaker Committee.” The party advised Nwokocha and his associates, whom it linked to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to “move on,” noting that their “master and leader, Peter Obi has gone to ADC.”
Furthermore, the party stressed that no court in Nigeria has set aside its 2024 National Convention, which affirmed Abure’s leadership. It cited the Supreme Court’s recent decision (SC/CV/56/2025), which it interpreted as affirming that leadership matters are internal party affairs and non-justiciable. The party noted that the names of Barr. Julius Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim remain registered with INEC as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The statement concluded by urging the public to disregard any contrary information, asserting that “Labour Party is intact with Barrister Julius Abure at the helm,” and is preparing for a better electoral outing as “the only ideologically bent party in Nigeria.”
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