ABUJA — The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has issued a strong warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against proceeding with the August 16, 2025 bye-elections without publishing the names of its candidates and displaying the party’s logo on the ballot.
The party cautioned that any failure to do so would put the entire exercise at risk of being nullified in court, in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
In a statement signed by the factional National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, on Tuesday, the LP urged well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to respect the Constitution and the Electoral Law in his dealings with political parties.
“The Electoral Act 2022 provides that any political party excluded from participating in an election can approach the court for redress,” Ifoh stated. “INEC is gambling with the huge resources of the country being expended on the bye-elections scheduled for August 16. We will not be helpless — the law provides adequate remedies for any act or omission that shortchanges our party or tarnishes our reputation.”
Accusing the commission of acting in a manner that could plunge the country into “unnecessary crisis” and waste colossal sums, Ifoh questioned INEC’s motives, asking, “What interest is INEC protecting?”
He referenced the Supreme Court ruling of April 4, 2025, which affirmed that issues of party leadership are internal affairs. According to Ifoh, the party’s national convention held on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi, produced the current leadership under Barrister Julius Abure, and INEC must respect that.
“INEC under Prof. Yakubu must obey the decisions of both the Supreme Court and the leadership of the Labour Party,” he insisted.
The warning comes amid rising tensions over INEC’s handling of candidate lists ahead of the bye-elections, with the LP threatening legal action if excluded.
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