Labour Party Distances Itself from Protest at INEC Headquarters
Based on the information available, the Labour Party of Nigeria has officially disassociated itself from a planned protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters. This decision is directly linked to the party's ongoing internal conflicts and a specific legal strategy.
Background of the Conflict:
INEC's Action: INEC has excluded all candidates submitted by the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party from the ballot for the upcoming August 16, 2025, by-elections.
INEC's Rationale: The commission justifies its decision by citing the expiration of Julius Abure's tenure as National Chairman in June 2023. This is reportedly backed by a Supreme Court ruling that declared his faction unable to represent the party. INEC also stated it did not monitor any of the primary elections held by this faction, which is a requirement for a party's candidates to be recognized.
Labour Party's Stance: The Abure-led faction has strongly condemned INEC's decision as "unlawful, an abuse of power, and an infringement on its constitutional right to sponsor candidates." They argue that no court, including the Supreme Court, has derecognized their leadership. They have vowed to challenge INEC's decision in court, emphasizing that INEC has no legal right to interfere in the party's internal affairs. This is despite a Supreme Court judgment on April 4, 2025, that set aside a Court of Appeal ruling recognizing Abure as the Chairman.
Why the Protest was Disavowed:
Focus on Legal Action: The Labour Party's official leadership, specifically the Abure faction, is prioritizing a legal approach to resolve the dispute with INEC. By disassociating from a street protest, they are taking a more formal and structured path, believing it to be a more effective way to reverse INEC's decision and ensure their candidates are on the ballot.
Internal Party Divisions: This action highlights the deep-seated internal crisis within the Labour Party, with competing factions and differing strategies. While some elements may be in favor of public demonstrations, the official leadership is opting for a more institutional and legal-centric response. This contrasts with past instances, such as the 2023 Imo State governorship election, where the party did participate in protests at the INEC headquarters.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
