The Labour Party (LP) has filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) refusal to accept its nominated candidate for the forthcoming Enugu North Senatorial District by-election.
The party is seeking a judicial order compelling the electoral body to reverse its decision and upload the particulars of its candidate, Amb. Simon Ejike Eze, on INEC’s nomination portal.
The senatorial seat became vacant following the death of the late Senator Okey Ezea of the Labour Party, who passed away on 18th November 2025. INEC has scheduled the by-election to fill the vacancy for 20th June 2026.
According to a press release issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the Labour Party complied fully with all statutory requirements. The party said it formally notified INEC on 11th May 2026 of its intention to conduct a senatorial primary, which was subsequently held on 25th May 2026. The well-attended primary produced Amb. Eze, a distinguished diplomat, as the party’s consensus candidate.
However, the party expressed deep concern that despite its compliance, it was denied access to upload the candidate’s particulars on INEC’s nomination portal before the close of submission on 2nd June 2026. The party said it made several formal protests and written appeals to the Commission, all of which yielded no positive result.
The Labour Party particularly took issue with the explanation given by the Head of Elections and Party Monitoring (EPM) in Enugu State, who reportedly justified his refusal to transmit the party’s primary report on the ground that he was out of town on the date of the exercise and was therefore unable to observe or monitor it.
“This excuse is untenable and raises serious questions about the discharge of official responsibilities. The Labour Party cannot be made to suffer the consequences of an official’s absence, negligence, incompetence, or dereliction of duty”, the statement read.
The party argued that the Electoral Act only requires political parties to duly notify INEC of their primaries, adding that the Commission’s physical presence is not a mandatory condition for the validity of a party primary election.
While expressing confidence in the leadership of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Labour Party called for an immediate investigation into the actions of the Commission’s senior staff in Enugu State, urging decisive action against any official found culpable.
“It would amount to a grave injustice for the Labour Party to be denied the opportunity of presenting a candidate in an election convened to fill a vacancy created by the death of one of its serving senators,” the party stated.
The Labour Party urged its members and supporters in Enugu North Senatorial District and across the country to remain calm, law-abiding, and peaceful while the matter is being determined by the courts.
[08/06, 16:51] Mr Gabriel SA: Use this
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