The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained the circumstances surrounding the exclusion of the Labour Party from participation in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Recall that on Monday, January 5, 2026, supporters of the Labour Party staged a protest at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, alleging the wrongful exclusion of their candidates from the election and demanding the issuance of access codes to enable the upload of candidates’ details.
Responding to the protest in a statement signed by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Etta-Messi, INEC said the Labour Party has been enmeshed in prolonged internal leadership disputes since 2024.
According to the Commission, the crisis culminated in the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on April 4, 2025, which unequivocally held that the tenure of the National Executive Committee led by Barrister Julius Abure had expired.
INEC noted that despite the clear pronouncement of the apex court, the Abure-led faction proceeded to conduct primaries for the August 16, 2025 bye-elections nationwide, including those for the FCT Area Council election.
The Commission recalled that the faction subsequently challenged its exclusion from the bye-election at the Federal High Court, Abuja, but judgment delivered on August 15, 2025 dismissed the suit and upheld INEC’s position, affirming that Barrister Abure was no longer recognised as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
Following the ruling, INEC said the Labour Party filed multiple suits in different courts seeking orders compelling the Commission to issue access codes for the upload of its candidates for the FCT Area Council election.
The electoral body further disclosed that the party approached the FCT High Court, Jabi Division, where a motion seeking similar relief was adjourned to January 15, 2026. Instead of awaiting the hearing, the party instituted another suit at the FCT High Court, Life Camp Division.
In the latter suit, the court granted an interim ex parte order on December 16, 2025, directing INEC to upload the names and particulars of the Labour Party’s candidates.However, INEC stated that the order was limited to seven days and lapsed on December 23, 2025, without extension.
The Commission stressed that there is currently no subsisting court order directing it to issue access codes or upload candidates for the Labour Party.
INEC emphasised that as the matter remains sub judice, it will continue to respect the sanctity of the judicial process and await the final determination of the pending cases.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and its Regulations and Guidelines, while holding political parties accountable to democratic principles and the rule of law.