The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has welcomed a court order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to provide it with access codes to upload candidates’ names for upcoming Federal Capital Territory elections.
The Nasarawa State High Court issued the ruling on July 23, 2025, in suit number NSD/LF.84/2024.
National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh described the court’s intervention as a positive step toward correcting injustices against the party’s leadership. “We received this intervention with a heart full of gratitude,” Ifoh said. “We are however hoping that INEC as a law-abiding institution will do the needful by formally publishing the names of our nominees for the bye-election and the FCT council elections without further delay.”
The faction expressed frustration over what it called unequal campaign opportunities for its candidates. “We are not happy that our candidates have not been given equal opportunity and time to campaign like other political parties,” Ifoh stated. “As it stands now, our candidates, due to reasons not of theirs, were prevented from campaigning. This is clearly a systemic route orchestrated by INEC to perpetually prevent Labour Party and their candidates from favourably participating in elections.”
Ifoh cited similar issues during the Ondo State governorship election, where INEC allegedly granted access codes just 24 hours before polling. “Recall that in Ondo state, INEC granted Labour Party’s governorship candidate access code barely 24 hours to the election. This has become a norm and we will not take such treatment any longer,” he added.
Despite the challenges, the party urged its candidates and supporters to remain resilient. “Finally, we urge our candidates not to be undaunted or dismayed by these glaring limitations. Labour Party is a household name,” Ifoh said. “We expect nothing but victory in all these contested offices. We also call on members of the party in the affected states to once more show their indomitable and ‘never die spirit’ to return our candidates.”
The court order, delivered by Hon. Justice Mustapha A. Ramat, mandates INEC to recognize Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the Labour Party’s legitimate leaders and grant them access codes to submit candidates for both the upcoming bye-election and the 2026 FCT council polls.
However, INEC has yet to comply, withholding publication of the party’s nominees for Saturday’s by-election and the subsequent area council elections.
The ruling reinforces the faction’s legitimacy amid ongoing internal disputes, though INEC’s continued non-compliance raises questions about implementation ahead of critical electoral deadlines. The Labour Party maintains its candidates remain viable contenders if given fair participation opportunities.