The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it refused to issue access codes to the Labour Party for uploading candidates ahead of the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory Area Council election.
Leadership Crisis at the Centre of Decision
In a statement issued on Wednesday, INEC said the decision was based on the Labour Party’s unresolved leadership crisis.
The statement was signed by the Commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Ewa-Messi. She said the internal crisis had dragged on for months and had resulted in multiple court cases.
Protest at INEC Headquarters
Supporters of the Labour Party had earlier protested at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.
They accused the Commission of deliberately excluding the party from the election and demanded the access codes required to upload candidates’ names.
INEC described the protest as unnecessary. It said the issues raised were already before the courts and therefore sub judice.
Supreme Court Judgment on Party Leadership
INEC recalled that the leadership dispute led to a Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025.
According to the Commission, the court ruled that the tenure of the National Executive Committee led by Julius Aburehad expired.
“Despite this clear pronouncement, the Abure-led faction purportedly conducted primaries for the August 16, 2025, bye-election nationwide and the FCT Area Council election,” the Commission said.
Court Cases Over Access Codes
INEC noted that the Labour Party later filed several cases seeking to compel the Commission to issue access codes.
It said some of the cases had already been dismissed, while others were still pending before different courts.
Expired Court Order
The Commission also addressed claims that a court had ordered it to upload the party’s candidates.
INEC confirmed that a High Court in Abuja granted an interim ex parte order on December 16, 2025, directing it to upload the candidates.
However, the order expired after seven days.
“The interim order consequently lapsed on December 23, 2025, and was not extended. Accordingly, there is presently no subsisting court order for INEC to act upon,” the statement read.
INEC to Await Final Court Decisions
INEC stressed that it remains committed to the rule of law.
The Commission said it would continue to respect the judicial process and await final court decisions before taking any further action on the Labour Party’s participation in the election.
