Court Orders INEC to Recognise Abure, Farouk as Labour Party Leaders, Allow Candidate Uploads

With just hours to the August 16, 2025 bye-elections and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council polls, the Nasarawa State High Court has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Barrister Julius Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the legitimate leaders of the Labour Party.

The order, issued on July 23, 2025, by Hon. Justice Mustapha A. Ramat in Suit No. NSD/LF.84/2024, also compels INEC to grant the duo access codes to upload the names and particulars of Labour Party candidates for the upcoming bye-elections and the FCT Area Council elections. Despite the ruling, INEC has yet to publish the names of the party’s nominees for Saturday’s contests in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Zaria Kewaye State Constituency, and Basawa State Constituency, as well as the 2026 FCT council polls.

In his ruling, Justice Ramat directed INEC to accord exclusive recognition to Abure as National Chairman and Farouk as National Secretary, both of whom emerged from the party’s convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on March 27, 2024.

He further restrained the commission from recognising any rival faction and ordered that access be granted for the upload of the party’s candidates’ details. The court also granted accelerated hearing of the substantive suit, which has been adjourned to September 22, 2025.

The orders were granted after the submissions of the plaintiffs’ counsel, Idris Yakubu (MCI Arb. UK), with INEC absent despite being duly served with the motion on notice.

Reacting to the development, Labour Party National Secretary, Umar Farouk, described the decision as a welcome development that would restore fairness to the party’s leadership. He expressed hope that INEC, as a law-abiding institution, would comply promptly by publishing the names of the party’s nominees without further delay.

Farouk, however, voiced frustration over what he described as a pattern of last-minute restrictions aimed at sidelining the Labour Party from competitive participation in elections. He recalled that in Ondo State, the party’s governorship candidate was granted access codes less than 24 hours before the election, describing the move as part of a recurring trend.

He urged candidates and members not to be discouraged by the challenges, insisting that Labour Party remains a household name with a strong chance of victory in all contested seats.

“We expect nothing but victory. Our members must once again demonstrate their indomitable and never-die spirit to ensure success,” he said.