The Labour Party (LP) has instituted legal action at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging what it describes as the wrongful exclusion of its candidate from the forthcoming Enugu North Senatorial District by-election scheduled for June 20, 2026, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District on the platform of the Labour Party until his demise on November 18, 2025.
According to the party, it fully complied with INEC’s guidelines by formally notifying the Commission on May 11, 2026, of its intention to conduct a senatorial primary election ahead of the by-election. The primary election was subsequently held on May 25, drawing participation from party members across the six local government areas that constitute the senatorial district.
At the conclusion of the exercise, Ambassador Simon Ejike Eze emerged as the consensus candidate of the party.
The Labour Party, however, expressed concern that despite complying with all statutory and procedural requirements, it was denied access to upload its candidate’s particulars on INEC’s nomination portal.
The party stated that it made several attempts to resolve the issue before the close of nominations on June 2, 2026, including submitting formal protests and official correspondence to the Commission, but received no satisfactory response.
Maintaining that it fulfilled all legal and administrative obligations prescribed under the Electoral Act and INEC regulations, the party questioned the basis for its exclusion from an election in which it claims a legitimate and undeniable stake.
The party further alleged that the Head of Elections and Party Monitoring (EPM) in Enugu State declined to transmit the report of its primary election on the grounds that he was out of town on the day the exercise was conducted and was therefore unable to monitor it.
Describing the explanation as unacceptable, the Labour Party argued that it cannot be made to bear the consequences of an official’s absence or failure to discharge assigned responsibilities.
The party emphasized that electoral processes and the constitutional rights of political parties should not be subjected to the personal circumstances or convenience of individual officials.
It further contended that if the designated officer was unavailable, it was the responsibility of INEC to make alternative arrangements to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the primary election, rather than penalising a political party that had complied with all legal requirements.
The Labour Party also maintained that the Electoral Act only requires political parties to notify INEC of their primaries and does not make the physical presence of Commission officials a prerequisite for the validity of such exercises. Consequently, it argued that the legality of its primary election cannot be invalidated on the basis of INEC’s absence.
While reaffirming its confidence in the leadership of INEC under Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, the party called on the Commission to investigate the actions of its officials in Enugu State and take appropriate disciplinary measures against any officer found culpable.
It stressed that public confidence in electoral institutions depends on transparency, accountability, and adherence to due process.
The party further warned that denying it the opportunity to present a candidate in an election occasioned by the death of one of its serving senators would amount to a grave injustice. Such an outcome, it argued, would not only undermine the rights of the party and its supporters but also restrict the democratic choices available to the electorate in Enugu North Senatorial District.
The statement, signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Ken Eluma Asogwa, on June 8, 2026, reiterated the party’s commitment to pursuing lawful and democratic avenues to secure its participation in the by-election.
It also urged members and supporters across the country to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding while the matter is being adjudicated by the court.
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