The Labour Party’s FCT Dilemma and INEC’s Firm Stand

The Labour Party’s FCT Dilemma and INEC’s Firm Stand

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s refusal to recognize the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party in the forthcoming FCT Area Council elections is more than a bureaucratic decision; it is a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic process.

At its core, the ruling underscores the Commission’s insistence on respecting judicial authority and maintaining electoral integrity, even in the face of political pressure and public protest.

The Labour Party, buoyed by its rising popularity in recent years, now finds itself fractured by leadership disputes that have spilled into the electoral arena. The Supreme Court’s ruling in 2025, which declared the expiration of Abure’s tenure, was meant to settle the matter. Yet, the faction’s insistence on conducting primaries and submitting candidates in defiance of that judgment placed INEC in a position where recognition would have amounted to undermining the judiciary. By standing firm, the Commission has sent a clear message that electoral bodies cannot be used to legitimize internal party disarray.

For the Labour Party, the implications are profound. In the FCT, where the party has enjoyed significant grassroots support, the exclusion of Abure’s candidates risks diluting its electoral strength.

Supporters who identify with the faction may feel disenfranchised, potentially weakening the party’s cohesion at a time when unity is most needed. The rival factions within the party may exploit this vacuum, further deepening divisions and eroding public confidence in the party’s ability to present a united front.

Beyond the Labour Party, the decision carries broader lessons for Nigeria’s political landscape. Internal democracy is not a luxury but a necessity. Parties that fail to resolve leadership disputes within the bounds of law risk losing their place in the electoral process.

INEC’s refusal to bend under pressure demonstrates a commitment to the rule of law, but it also highlights the fragility of Nigeria’s party system, where factionalism often overshadows ideology and grassroots engagement.

As the FCT elections approach, the Labour Party faces a critical test. Will it reconcile its factions and present a credible alternative to voters, or will it allow internal strife to squander its momentum?

INEC has drawn its line in the sand, and the responsibility now lies with the party to prove that it can rise above its divisions. The outcome will not only shape the Labour Party’s fortunes in the FCT but also serve as a cautionary tale for other political parties navigating the turbulent waters of internal democracy.

This episode reminds us that democracy thrives not merely on the conduct of elections but on the discipline of political actors to respect institutions, judgments, and the collective will of the people. In refusing to recognize the Abure faction,

INEC has chosen principle over expediency, and the Labour Party must now decide whether it will do the same.