The Labour Party has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over its alleged exclusion from the forthcoming Enugu North Senatorial District by-election scheduled for June 20.
The suit follows claims that the party was denied the opportunity to upload its candidate’s details on INEC’s nomination portal, despite allegedly fulfilling all statutory requirements.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said Labour Party made several attempts to resolve the issue through formal complaints and correspondence to INEC, but received no positive response.
He maintained that the party complied fully with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines in conducting its primary election and submitting its candidate.
According to him, the exclusion is both “disturbing and deeply concerning,” especially given that the party has a legitimate stake in the election following the vacancy left by the late Senator Okey Ezea.
Asogwa also criticised the explanation reportedly given by an INEC official in Enugu State, who allegedly cited absence from duty on the day of the party primaries as the reason for not transmitting the election report.
He described the justification as unacceptable, arguing that administrative lapses or absence of officials should not be used to penalise a political party that has complied with electoral procedures.
The Labour Party further argued that INEC’s physical presence is not a legal requirement for the validity of party primaries, insisting that its actions are consistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The case is expected to test aspects of party nomination procedures and INEC’s role in monitoring internal party primaries ahead of elections.
