-
Better not on the ballot than to suffer embarrassment – Nenadi loyalist
From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) Dr Ayo Olorunfemi has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the removal of the party’s name and logo from the list of parties participating in the by-elections scheduled for August 16, 2025, across several Nigerian states.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Olorunfemi, a member of the Abure-led leadership, described INEC’s action as illegal and lacking due process, stressing that “there has been no single communication between INEC and the Labour Party” regarding the decision.
He argued that public office cannot be run without due process and that INEC’s silence suggests it is acting outside its powers. Olorunfemi emphasised that INEC cannot unilaterally determine a party’s leadership, citing a validly held national convention conducted in full compliance with the Electoral Act.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0’); });
He noted that INEC was given 100 days’ notice ahead of the convention, exceeding the statutory 21 days, and added that a court judgment has since validated the convention and its outcome.
“There is a substantive court judgment that validated the convention, which was never appealed. And the same person who is now causing confusion was the chairman of the convention that returned Abure as the elected leader. How can you approbate and reprobate at the same time?” he queried.
The party has filed a legal case to challenge INEC’s action, with Olorunfemi confirming, “We filed the matter on Wednesday.”
Meanwhile, a source within Senator Nenadi Usman’s camp described the Labour Party’s exclusion from the by-elections as “a necessary political reality check.” The source, speaking anonymously, argued that being excluded from the ballot was better than participating under “illegal structures” and risking embarrassing losses.
The source accused INEC of double-speak and subtle partisanship, alleging that the commission has failed to clarify its position on the Supreme Court ruling of April 4, 2025, which nullified Julius Abure’s leadership as LP National Chairman.
“It is even better that the Labour Party was not on the ballot than having it there and scoring less than the APC or the PDP,” the source said. “Abure is setting up candidates without legitimacy. Those structures he used to conduct primaries are null and void. Yet, INEC is acting confused.”
The source further alleged that powerful interests are pressuring INEC not to recognise the Nenadi Usman-led leadership, despite its legitimacy from the Supreme Court ruling.
“INEC does not want to come out clearly. From the feelers we are getting, there’s clear political pressure on them not to recognise the Nenadi Usman team. But if they still go ahead to list Abure as chairman on their portal despite the Supreme Court ruling, then they are simply playing a dangerous game,” the source added.
The source confirmed that none of the LP primaries conducted for the by-elections were organised by the legally recognised leadership. “All the primaries were carried out by illegal committees handpicked by Abure. I warned many of those candidates. They wasted money and time. Their tickets won’t stand legal scrutiny,” he said.
The source also noted that Abure has approached the courts to compel INEC to reopen its portal and reinstate LP candidates for the by-elections. “He’s going to court to try and force INEC to list LP candidates. And as it stands, INEC will obey if the court rules in his favour,” he said.
The source attributed the confusion to INEC’s refusal to strictly abide by the Supreme Court’s verdict. “We don’t even know INEC’s real position. So if Abure goes to court now, it might finally force INEC to act, either to acknowledge the judgment or continue the charade.”
While acknowledging the setback caused by LP’s exclusion, the source from Nenadi’s camp stressed that their focus is on the 2027 general elections. “Let’s even assume Nenadi’s camp had conducted parallel primaries, there wasn’t enough time to get the names onto the portal. It was a rushed process. But all hope is not lost. If the court orders INEC to reopen the portal, some states might still see LP on the ballot. For now, we prefer absence to disgrace. Our eyes are on 2027, and we won’t let this drama derail the bigger agenda,” he noted.
The source warned that INEC’s continued ambiguity could deepen LP’s internal crisis and damage the commission’s integrity ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The by-elections are scheduled to be held in several states, including Kaduna, Enugu, Plateau, Edo, and Taraba, to fill vacant National and State Assembly seats.
The post INEC delisting Labour Party illegal, unconstitutional – Olorunfemi appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
