Amanze ChinonyeThe Labour Party has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of unlawfully excluding its candidates from the forthcoming August 16, 2025 bye-election, describing the omission as not only illegal but indicative of a growing trend of institutional interference and political suppression ahead of future elections.
In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, alleged that INEC’s action amounts to an abuse of power and a deliberate attempt to undermine the Labour Party’s participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“The action is unlawful, surprising, and an abuse of power. INEC has no authority to cherry-pick elections where it deems fit for our party to participate,” the statement read. “We will challenge this act and ensure that our duly nominated candidates are listed.”
The omission, which comes amid rising tensions between opposition parties and electoral authorities, has further fueled concerns about shrinking political space in the country. The Labour Party argued that the Electoral Act 2022 and the Nigerian Constitution clearly protect the rights of registered parties to sponsor candidates, and warned that INEC’s decision threatens the credibility of the upcoming vote.
The party pointed to the April 4, 2025 Supreme Court judgment, which it says did not invalidate its leadership nor address the substance of internal disputes, but simply advised political parties to resolve such matters internally as courts lack jurisdiction over intra-party issues. According to Ifoh, INEC has overstepped its bounds by interpreting the court’s ruling in a manner that undermines Labour Party’s autonomy.
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“At no point did the Supreme Court empower INEC to interfere with the internal affairs of our party,” the statement continued. “What INEC is doing now is usurping the powers of the judiciary while pretending to act in line with the law.”
Observers say the development fits into a wider pattern in recent months in which opposition parties and dissenting voices claim to have been systematically sidelined by regulatory institutions. Civil society groups and election observers have repeatedly warned about the politicization of state agencies, citing it as a threat to democratic consolidation.
Labour Party, which has positioned itself as a populist alternative to Nigeria’s dominant parties, said it views the current development as part of a broader effort to stifle its rising profile. “We have built a reputation over 23 years as a party of the people. These actions will not succeed in demoralizing our movement,” Ifoh said.
The party warned that holding the bye-election without its participation would amount to disenfranchisement and would be a colossal waste of public resources. “It will indeed be catastrophic and a colossal loss of scarce monetary resources should INEC have its way,” the statement noted.
Labour Party called on its supporters to remain vigilant, urging members across the country to remain calm as it pursues all legal avenues to ensure its candidates are reinstated.
“All our candidates should stay calm. We will do everything within the law to ensure their names are uploaded for the August 16 bye-election and subsequent elections,” the party assured.
The bye-election, which will fill legislative vacancies in various constituencies, is being closely watched as a bellwether for the 2027 general elections. However, the ongoing row between INEC and opposition parties may cast a shadow over public trust in the electoral process.
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