By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Labour Party |
The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has issued a stern warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against omitting the party’s logo in the upcoming August 16 bye-election.
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, declared that the party would pursue legal action to nullify the election if INEC fails to include its candidates.
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, Ifoh emphasized that excluding the Labour Party from the ballot would violate Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022. He urged Nigerians and civil society groups to pressure INEC to uphold constitutional and electoral laws.
Ifoh cited Section 77 of the Electoral Act, which mandates that any party unlawfully barred from an election has the right to seek judicial redress. He warned that the **LP would challenge INEC in court** if its candidates are left off the ballot.
The Labour Party faction also reminded INEC of the April 4 Supreme Court judgment, which affirmed that party leadership disputes are internal matters. The Abure-led executives were duly elected at the party’s March 27, 2024, national convention in Nnewi, making them the legitimate representatives.
Ifoh demanded that INEC respect the Supreme Court’s decision and recognize the Abure-led leadership. Failure to do so, he warned, could lead to legal battles and election annulment.
(NAN)