Why We Denied Abure Faction In FCT Polls – INEC

Why INEC Denied the Abure Faction in FCT Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally explained its decision to reject the list of candidates submitted by the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

This decision, announced on January 7, 2026, followed a protest staged by Labour Party supporters at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja over the alleged exclusion of their candidates from the forthcoming polls scheduled for February 21, 2026.

INEC’s position is rooted in the protracted leadership crisis within the Labour Party. The Commission emphasized that the matter had already been settled by the Supreme Court in April 2025, in the case Usman v. Labour Party (Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025).

The apex court ruled that the tenure of the Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired, thereby stripping him of the authority to act as party chairman. Despite this ruling, the Abure faction went ahead to conduct primaries for the 2025 bye-elections, including those for the FCT Area Council. INEC described these actions as invalid and without legal foundation.

The faction attempted to challenge its exclusion at the Federal High Court in Abuja, but the case was dismissed in August 2025, with the court reaffirming the Supreme Court’s earlier decision.

INEC further clarified that although an interim ex parte order from the FCT High Court, Life Camp Division, temporarily directed the Commission to upload Labour Party candidates in December 2025, the order expired after seven days and was not renewed. Consequently, there is no valid court order compelling INEC to recognize the Abure faction’s candidates.

INEC stressed that the matter remains sub judice and reiterated its commitment to upholding the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its internal regulations. The Commission urged political parties to respect democratic principles and the rule of law in resolving internal disputes. By denying recognition to the Abure faction, INEC signaled its determination to maintain electoral integrity and avoid undermining judicial pronouncements.

This development underscores the broader challenges of internal party democracy in Nigeria, where factional disputes often spill into the electoral process. INEC’s stance reflects a balancing act between respecting judicial authority and ensuring that elections are conducted in line with constitutional and legal provisions.