Members of the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) staged a protest at the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Wednesday, decrying the omission of their candidates from the list for the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections and National Assembly bye-elections.
Chanting slogans and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “INEC Should Respect the Rule of Law” and “Stop Killing Democracy in Nigeria,” the protesters marched peacefully around the INEC premises under the watch of security personnel.
The group accused INEC of disregarding a Supreme Court ruling which, according to them, validates Abure’s leadership. Placards also read, “Supreme Court Judgement Favours Julius Abure” and “Caretaker Committee Is Not a Political Party.”
However, the protest was swiftly disowned by the official Labour Party leadership. In a statement signed by Ken Eluma Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser on Media to Interim National Chairman Nenadi Usman, the party described the demonstrators as “impostors” and denied any involvement or authorisation.
“The organisers are unknown to the party’s leadership, and the action lacks the approval and backing of the party,” the statement read. It also referenced INEC’s rejection of candidate lists submitted by Abure’s group, describing the move as consistent with a Supreme Court judgement delivered on April 4, 2025, which affirmed that Abure’s chairmanship expired on June 8, 2023.
The Labour Party has been grappling with a deepening leadership crisis. In July, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), chaired by Governor Alex Otti, appointed Nenadi Usman as Interim National Chairman and Darlington Nwokocha as Interim National Secretary, with an interim working committee set up to guide the party towards a national convention.
But Kennedy Ahanotu, National Youth Leader and a prominent figure in the Abure-led faction, dismissed the appointments as unconstitutional, insisting that Abure remains the legitimate chairman based on the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the internal rift between the Abure bloc and the group led by Usman, Peter Obi, and Governor Otti threatens to undermine the party’s cohesion and electoral prospects.
