The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the Labour Party (LP) faction led by National Chairman Julius Abure will not be able to participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections due to unresolved legal disputes surrounding the party’s leadership. The announcement has added another layer of complexity to the already contentious political environment ahead of the local government polls.
INEC stated that the commission has yet to provide an official access code to the Abure-led faction, which is necessary for any political party to field candidates and formally participate in elections. The access code serves as a verification tool to ensure that parties contesting the polls are recognized and legally authorised to operate.
According to the electoral body, the inability of the Abure-led LP faction to secure the code stems from ongoing internal party disputes that are still being adjudicated by the courts. These disputes relate to questions over legitimate leadership and authority within the party, making it difficult for INEC to verify which faction holds the official mandate to participate in the elections.
Speaking on the matter, an INEC official explained that the commission operates strictly within the bounds of the law and cannot facilitate participation for a faction embroiled in unresolved legal wrangling. “The commission requires clarity on leadership before granting access codes. Until the courts resolve the disputes, no faction can be allowed to field candidates,” the official said.
The development has generated concern among party members and supporters who had hoped to contest council elections under the LP banner. Several local leaders have expressed frustration at the delays, noting that their chances to participate in grassroots governance could be compromised if the leadership tussle is not resolved promptly.
Political analysts say the situation underscores the importance of internal party cohesion and adherence to democratic principles within political organisations. They noted that unresolved leadership conflicts can have real electoral consequences, including disenfranchising party members and weakening grassroots representation.
Despite the setback, Julius Abure and his supporters maintain that their faction is the legitimate leadership of the LP and have vowed to pursue all legal avenues to secure recognition and ensure participation in future elections. They argue that the commission’s position, while procedurally correct, highlights the urgency of resolving internal disputes swiftly to avoid undermining the party’s political prospects.
Observers note that the timing of the dispute is critical, as political parties in the FCT are already mobilising for the council elections scheduled in the coming months. The delay in access code allocation could potentially advantage rival parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which have already cleared internal hurdles and received their election credentials.
The ongoing legal tussle within the LP highlights the challenges political parties face in balancing internal democracy with electoral compliance. For now, INEC has maintained its position that only a legally recognised faction will be eligible to contest the FCT council elections, leaving Abure’s group in a holding pattern until court rulings provide definitive guidance.
This development serves as a reminder of the critical intersection between party governance and electoral law in Nigeria, with potential implications for both party strategy and voter participation at the local level.
