Introduction to the Issue
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has confirmed that candidates of the Labour Party, LP, will remain excluded from the 2026 Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council elections pending the determination of ongoing court cases. In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, the Commission said there is currently no subsisting court order directing INEC to issue access codes to Labour Party candidates for the upload of their details.
Background to the Dispute
INEC’s clarification followed a protest by supporters of the Labour Party at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, January 5, 2026. The protesters decried the exclusion of LP candidates from the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, and demanded the issuance of access codes to enable the party upload its candidates. The Labour Party has been embroiled in protracted internal leadership disputes since 2024, culminating in the judgment of the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025, Usman v. Labour Party, delivered on April 4, 2025.
Supreme Court Judgment and Its Implications
According to INEC, the apex court unequivocally held that the tenure of the Barrister Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired. Despite the Supreme Court’s pronouncement, INEC said the Abure-led faction purportedly conducted primaries for the August 16, 2025 bye-elections nationwide, including the FCT Area Council election. The Commission recalled that the Abure-led faction subsequently filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1523/2025 – Labour Party v. INEC at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging INEC’s decision to exclude it from the bye-election.
Court Cases and Rulings
Judgment delivered on August 15, 2025 dismissed the suit, reaffirming the Supreme Court’s position that Barr. Abure was no longer the recognised National Chairman of the party and upholding INEC’s exclusion of the Labour Party from the bye-election. INEC further disclosed that the Labour Party thereafter instituted multiple suits against the Commission in different courts, all seeking orders compelling INEC to issue access codes for the upload of its candidates for the FCT Area Council election slated for February 21, 2026. These include Suit No. NSD/LF.84/2024 at the Nasarawa State High Court, Akwanga Division.
Ongoing Court Proceedings
It noted that when proceedings there stalled, the party approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2110/2025, which remains pending. INEC noted that the party also filed Suit No. CV/4792/2025 before the FCT High Court, Jabi Division, accompanied by a motion seeking an order compelling INEC to issue access codes, adding that the matter was adjourned to January 15, 2026 for hearing after INEC filed its response. However, before that date, the Labour Party instituted yet another action, Suit No. CV/4930/2025, at the FCT High Court, Life Camp Division, seeking the same relief.
Interim Court Order and Its Lapse
In that suit, the court granted an interim ex parte order on December 16, 2025, directing INEC to upload the names and particulars of LP candidates. The court expressly stated that the order would lapse after seven days unless extended. INEC said it promptly challenged the competence and jurisdiction of the suit upon being served. The interim order subsequently lapsed on December 23, 2025 and was not extended, leaving no subsisting court order for the Commission to act upon.
Conclusion
By an Order Exparte in this latest Suit No. CV/4930/2025, the FCT High Court sitting in Life Camp, Abuja granted an interim Order on 16th December, 2025, directing the Commission to upload the names and particulars of the Labour Party candidates for the FCT Area Council Election. The Court expressly stated that the Order would lapse after seven days unless extended. Upon being served with the originating processes, INEC promptly filed its defence, challenging the competence of the suit and the jurisdiction of the Court. The interim Order consequently lapsed on 23rd December, 2025 and was not extended. Accordingly, there is presently no subsisting Court Order for INEC to act upon. The Commission added that given that the matter is currently sub judice, it would continue to respect the judicial process and await the final determination of the pending cases.
FAQs
- Q: Why are Labour Party candidates excluded from the FCT Area Council elections?
A: The exclusion is due to ongoing court cases and the lack of a subsisting court order directing INEC to issue access codes to Labour Party candidates. - Q: What was the Supreme Court’s judgment regarding the Labour Party’s leadership?
A: The Supreme Court held that the tenure of the Barrister Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired. - Q: How many court cases has the Labour Party instituted against INEC regarding the FCT Area Council election?
A: The Labour Party has instituted multiple suits, including Suit No. NSD/LF.84/2024, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2110/2025, Suit No. CV/4792/2025, and Suit No. CV/4930/2025. - Q: What was the outcome of the interim ex parte order granted by the FCT High Court in Suit No. CV/4930/2025?
A: The interim order lapsed on December 23, 2025, after not being extended, leaving no subsisting court order for INEC to act upon.
