INEC Wields Axe On Labour Party In Edo – Who Made The Cut? Full List Inside

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disqualified the Labour Party (LP) from participating in the upcoming National Assembly by-elections in Edo State, citing non-compliance with electoral procedures.

At a press briefing in Benin City, the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, stated that the Labour Party failed to officially notify INEC of its interest in the election and did not conduct a valid primary monitored by the commission.

This announcement contradicts earlier claims by the Labour Party that Paul Okojie had emerged as its candidate for the Edo Central Senatorial seat, a claim now nullified by INEC’s clarification.

“According to our records,” Onuoha said, “the Labour Party, along with a few other parties, did not invite INEC to observe their primaries or follow the stipulated procedures. In some instances, we arrived at designated venues only to find them shut, with no activity whatsoever.”

Nine Parties Cleared for the By-Elections

INEC confirmed that nine political parties will participate in the elections to fill vacancies in the Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency, following the selection of Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa as the APC’s gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates.

The parties cleared to contest include:

• Action Alliance (AA)

• African Democratic Congress (ADC)

• All Progressives Congress (APC)

• Allied Peoples Movement (APM)

• Action Peoples Party (APP)

• Action Democratic Party (ADP)

• New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)

• Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

• Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)

INEC Reaffirms Commitment to Free and Fair Elections

Prof. Onuoha emphasized INEC’s preparedness to conduct a credible election. He noted that non-sensitive materials have been distributed to the affected areas, and the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) is fully configured and ready.

Out of 719,504 registered voters across the seven LGAs involved in the by-elections, 101,617 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected, he revealed.

Responding to calls from the PDP for his removal, Onuoha dismissed the allegations as baseless, asserting that INEC’s internal structure makes rigging or manipulation impossible, regardless of personal affiliations.

“Even if your relative works with INEC, they cannot compromise the system,” he said. “The commission’s framework doesn’t allow it.”

He also urged the media and political stakeholders to cooperate with INEC, assuring all political parties of a level playing field in the electoral process.