The Labour Party (LP) has strongly condemned the decision by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exclude its candidates from the 16 August 2025 bye-election, describing the move as “unlawful, surprising, and an abuse of power.”
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party vowed to challenge INEC’s action in court and ensure its candidates are duly listed on the ballot.
“As a registered political party in Nigeria, the Labour Party is fully aware of its rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2022, as amended,” the statement read. “INEC has no power to stop us from sponsoring candidates or to cherry-pick elections where it deems fit for us to participate.”
The party expressed shock at INEC’s omission, insisting that no court in Nigeria, including the Supreme Court, had derecognised its current leadership. It referenced the 4 April 2025 Supreme Court ruling, which it said only addressed jurisdictional issues and not the substantive matter of the party’s internal affairs.
“The Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the case, as courts are barred from interfering in the internal matters of political parties,” the LP stated. “The apex court simply urged parties to resolve disputes through their internal mechanisms. At no point did it empower INEC to meddle in our affairs.”
The Labour Party accused INEC of overstepping its regulatory mandate and attempting to impose an illegal interpretation of the Supreme Court’s judgment. “INEC, as a regulatory body, must limit itself to the provisions of the laws that established it,” the statement continued. “It cannot unilaterally decide which parties field candidates, so long as the parties comply with the Electoral Act.”
The party demanded that INEC immediately include its nominated candidates for the bye-election, warning that failure to do so would result in legal action. “We will not allow INEC to intimidate, harass, or ridicule the Labour Party,” Ifoh declared. “We will explore all legal avenues to ensure our candidates are rightfully on the ballot.”
The LP also cautioned that proceeding with the election without its participation would be a “waste of resources” and could lead to a “catastrophic and colossal loss of public funds.” It urged INEC to avoid a situation where the poll’s legitimacy could be questioned, saying, “Any attempt to exclude us will only lead to unnecessary litigation and further strain Nigeria’s electoral system.”
The statement further called on Labour Party members and supporters to remain calm but vigilant, assuring them that the party would fight to protect its democratic rights. “We urge Nigerians, particularly our members, to stay steadfast and continue praying for a nation where electoral processes are free, fair, and just,” it said. “The day will come when those who undermine democracy are held accountable for their actions.”
In a direct message to its affected candidates, the party promised to do everything possible to ensure their inclusion in the upcoming election and future polls. “We ask our candidates to remain patient and law-abiding,” the statement added. “The Labour Party will not relent until justice is served.”
The LP also issued a stern warning to politicians it accused of attempting to manipulate INEC against the party. “Labour Party is not for sale,” the statement emphasised. “Any institution or individual making themselves tools for political witch-hunts will have themselves to blame.”
The party’s defiance signals a brewing legal and political battle, with the potential to disrupt the scheduled bye-election if INEC refuses to reverse its decision. As the standoff continues, political observers are watching closely to see whether the electoral body will yield to the Labour Party’s demands or face a protracted court case that could cast a shadow over the poll’s credibility.
With less than two weeks until the election, the party is mounting pressure on INEC to either justify its exclusion or make a swift correction to avoid another contentious electoral dispute in Nigeria’s often turbulent democracy.
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