Candidates of the Labour Party contesting the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, alongside party members, have raised concerns over what they described as INEC’s refusal to publish their details, warning that the delay could affect their participation.
The protesters said the electoral body had failed to act despite a binding court directive mandating the publication of the Labour Party candidates’ names and particulars within a clearly stated timeline ahead of the scheduled elections.
Party officials maintained that the continued omission amounted to a violation of judicial authority, stressing that the court ruling was explicit and left no room for administrative discretion or prolonged procedural delays by the commission.
The protest took place on Monday at the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters in Abuja, ahead of the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections across the six councils of the Federal Capital Territory, following a December 29, 2025 court order granting INEC 48 hours to comply.
Labour Party spokesman, Obiora Ifoh, said party members proceeded to the party’s National Secretariat after the demonstration, where they briefed National Chairman Julius Abure, who cautioned that the delay could jeopardise the party’s chances in the polls.
“INEC cannot continue to play politics with electoral matters,” Abure said, adding, “There is a valid court order directing the commission to upload the names of our candidates, and that order must be obeyed.”
He further warned, “Any further delay is a deliberate attempt to deny the Labour Party the opportunity of proper participation in the February 21 election, and we will not accept that,” as the party insisted it would explore all lawful options to enforce compliance.
Ifoh said the ruling was “very clear and unambiguous,” describing INEC’s inaction as contempt of court, and added, “We are demanding that INEC immediately obey the court order. The Labour Party will not be intimidated, and we will not allow our candidates to be shut out through administrative delay.”
