Access Codes In Hand: LP Faction Lauds Court Ruling Against INEC Obstacles

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has welcomed a court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide it with access codes to upload the names of its candidates ahead of the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the faction, described the decision by the Nasarawa State High Court as “a welcome development” and “an order that will correct the many injustices faced by the authentic leadership of the party.”

While praising the court’s intervention, Ifoh accused INEC of deliberately obstructing the party’s candidates.

He stated, “We are, however, disappointed that our candidates have not been given the same opportunity and time to campaign as those of other political parties. Our candidates, through no fault of their own, were prevented from campaigning. This appears to be a systemic strategy by INEC to continuously disadvantage the Labour Party and its candidates.”

Recalling a previous incident in Ondo State, Ifoh noted that INEC had granted the LP governorship candidate access codes only 24 hours before the election, claiming that such tactics have become a recurring pattern the party will no longer tolerate.

He encouraged candidates to remain resolute, emphasizing that the Labour Party is “a household name” capable of winning despite the challenges. He also called on party members in affected states to demonstrate their “indomitable and never-die spirit” in ensuring LP candidates are elected.

In suit No. NSD/LF.84/2024, delivered on July 23, 2025, Justice Mustapha A. Ramat of the Nasarawa State High Court ordered INEC to recognise Julius Abure and Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the authentic leaders of the Labour Party. The interlocutory order also instructed the electoral body to provide the faction with access codes to upload the names and details of its nominated candidates for the upcoming bye-elections and FCT Area Council elections.

INEC has so far delayed the publication of the LP’s nominated candidates for the bye-election scheduled for Saturday and the FCT council polls set for early 2026.