INEC CLARIFIES ACCESS CODES FOR LABOUR PARTY CANDIDATES IN 2026 FCT AREA COUNCIL ELECTION
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By: Fasasi Hammad
On Monday, 5th January 2026, supporters of the Labour Party staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, raising concerns over the exclusion of their candidates from the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Election, scheduled for Saturday, 21st February 2026. The protesters demanded the issuance of access codes to allow the party to upload its candidates for the election.
In response, INEC stated that the Labour Party has been embroiled in prolonged internal leadership disputes since 2024, culminating in the Supreme Court judgment in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025 (Usman v. Labour Party) delivered on 4th April 2025. The court ruled unequivocally that the tenure of the Barr. Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired. Despite this, the Abure-led faction allegedly conducted primaries for both the August 16, 2025 bye-election and the FCT Area Council Election.
INEC recalled that the Abure-led faction had filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1523/2025 – Labour Party v. INEC at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the Commission’s decision to exclude it from the bye-election. The court delivered judgment on 15th August 2025, dismissing the suit and affirming the Supreme Court’s position that Barr. Julius Abure was no longer recognized as the National Chairman, thereby upholding INEC’s decision.
Following this, the Labour Party filed multiple suits across different courts seeking orders to compel INEC to issue access codes for the FCT Area Council Election. These include Suit No. NSD/LF.84/2024 at the Nasarawa State High Court, Akwanga Division, and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2110/2025 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, both of which are pending.
The party also approached the FCT High Court, Jabi Division, with Suit No. CV/4792/2025, filing a motion for access codes. The matter was adjourned to 15th January 2026 after INEC filed its reply. However, the Labour Party filed another suit, Suit No. CV/4930/2025 at the FCT High Court, Life Camp Division, seeking the same relief.
An ex parte interim order was granted in this latest suit on 16th December 2025, directing INEC to upload the party’s candidates. The court specified that the order would lapse after seven days unless extended. INEC filed a defense challenging the competence and jurisdiction of the court, and the interim order lapsed on 23rd December 2025. Consequently, there is currently no subsisting court order requiring INEC to act.
INEC emphasized that the matter remains sub judice and reaffirmed its commitment to respect the judicial process. The Commission reiterated its adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and its regulations and guidelines, affirming that political parties must comply with democratic standards and the rule of law in managing their internal affairs.
Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi
Director, Voter Education and Publicity
7th January 2026
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