Civil society groups aligned with the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) staged a protest outside INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, demanding the commission include the party’s candidates in upcoming nationwide bye-elections.
The demonstrators, who arrived around 11:00 a.m., held placards with messages like:
“INEC, who is using you against LP,”
“Mahmood stop destroying democracy,”
“Tell INEC to obey court orders.”
LP’s interim leadership disowns protest
But in a twist, the Senator Nenadi Usman-led interim leadership of the Labour Party has disowned the protest.
In a statement signed by Ken Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser on Media to Senator Usman, the faction described the protesters as “impostors” and “political impersonators,” denying any connection to the demonstration.
Party still divided ahead of key polls
The protest adds another layer of confusion to the ongoing leadership tussle within the LP, just as Nigeria gears up for key bye-elections.
With court orders, internal factions, and public demonstrations in the mix, the party’s electoral future—and its relationship with INEC—remains uncertain.
More updates to follow.
