INEC Derecognises Abure–Led Labour Party Faction

In a bold move that affirms the legitimacy of the Senator Nenadi Usman-led faction of the Labour Party (LP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disqualified all candidates submitted by Julius Abure’s faction for the August 16, 2025 by-elections and the FCT council polls.

Additionally, INEC rejected all submissions made by the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

INEC published the final list of qualified candidates, which excluded those presented by Abure’s faction and the SDP.

This decision aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling of April 4, 2025, which rejected the appeal brought by Abure on jurisdictional grounds.

Immediately after the announcement, Abure’s camp, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, denounced INEC’s decision.

Ifoh insisted that INEC had no authority to disqualify the faction’s candidates.

He further argued that the Supreme Court only ruled on jurisdiction and never derecognized the current leadership of the party.

Moreover, Ifoh accused INEC of interfering in internal party affairs.

He urged the commission to reinstate their candidates without delay.

“INEC cannot reinterpret the Supreme Court’s clear position or usurp the roles of the courts,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the Usman faction welcomed INEC’s action as a step in the right direction.

Ken Asogwa, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Senator Usman, noted that the commission had finally acknowledged the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming Usman as the legitimate chairman.

Furthermore, sources within INEC confirmed that officials did not monitor any of the Abure faction’s primaries, making those processes invalid under electoral guidelines.

INEC had previously stated that Abure’s tenure expired in June 2023.

Adding weight to INEC’s decision, a former LP treasurer, Oluchi Opara, emphasized that the Supreme Court’s ruling barred Abure from submitting candidates.

She praised INEC’s resolve and called on Abure to stop grandstanding.

Ultimately, this development strengthens the rule of law and reinforces internal democracy in political parties.

It signals that INEC will no longer tolerate unauthorized factions trying to manipulate electoral processes.

Clearly, the Usman leadership now holds firm control of the Labour Party.

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