The Labour Party has initiated legal proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging its alleged unlawful exclusion from the forthcoming Enugu North Senatorial District by-election. The election, scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for June 20, 2026, was necessitated by the death of the late Senator Okey Ezea, who represented the district on the Labour Party platform until his passing on November 18, 2025.
Party Complies with INEC Guidelines
In a statement on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, indicated that the party fully complied with INEC's timetable and guidelines. The party formally notified the Commission on May 11, 2026, of its intention to conduct a senatorial primary election. The primary was subsequently held on May 25, 2026, attracting thousands of party members from across the six local government areas of the district. Ambassador Simon Ejike Eze emerged as the consensus candidate.
Alleged Denial of Access to Nomination Portal
The party expressed shock and disappointment that, despite fulfilling all statutory and procedural requirements, it was allegedly denied access to INEC's nomination portal to upload the particulars of its candidate before the June 2 deadline. Several efforts were made to resolve the matter through formal correspondence and protests to the electoral commission, but no satisfactory response was received. The party insists that it met every legal obligation required under the Electoral Act and INEC regulations and therefore cannot understand the basis for its exclusion from an election in which it has a direct and legitimate interest.
Concerns Over Electoral Officials' Conduct
Of particular concern was the reported explanation by the Head of Elections and Party Monitoring (EPM) in Enugu State, who allegedly declined to transmit the report of the party's primary election on the grounds that he was out of town and unable to observe the exercise. The Labour Party described this excuse as unacceptable, arguing that a political party should not be punished for the absence, negligence, or administrative shortcomings of electoral officials.
“It is the responsibility of INEC to make adequate arrangements for the monitoring of party primaries once proper notice has been given. The validity of a duly conducted primary election cannot be undermined simply because an official failed to attend,” the party stated.
Legal and Democratic Implications
The party further emphasized that the Electoral Act only requires political parties to notify INEC of their primaries and does not make the physical presence of electoral officials a condition for the legality or validity of such exercises. While reaffirming its confidence in the leadership of INEC and its commitment to democratic processes, the Labour Party called on the Commission to immediately investigate the actions of its officials in Enugu State and sanction any officer found to have acted improperly.
The party warned that denying it the opportunity to field a candidate in an election triggered by the death of one of its serving senators would amount to a grave injustice, undermine democratic participation, and limit the choices available to voters in Enugu North Senatorial District. Expressing confidence in the judiciary, the Labour Party urged its members and supporters to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and patient as the matter is resolved through the courts.
