The Labour Party led by Nenadi Usman has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission to the Federal High Court, Abuja over the exclusion of its candidate from the Enugu North Senatorial by-election slated for June 20 2026.
National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, in a statement on Monday, said the suit followed INEC’s refusal to allow the party upload its candidate’s details despite complying with all electoral guidelines and deadlines.
The Enugu North seat became vacant after Senator Okey Ezea of the Labour Party died on November 18 2025. INEC subsequently released a timetable for by-elections, including Enugu North.
In compliance, Labour Party notified INEC on May 11 2026 of its plan to hold a senatorial primary on 25th May 2026. The primary, attended by thousands from the six local government areas, produced Ambassador Simon Ejike Eze as consensus candidate.
Asogwa said the party was shocked when it could not access INEC’s nomination portal to upload Eze’s particulars. The submission window closed on June 2 2026 despite repeated protests and letters to the Commission.
“The Labour Party fulfilled every legal and administrative obligation under the Electoral Act and INEC regulations,” he added.
He questioned the basis for excluding a party with a legitimate stake in the election. The party faulted the Enugu State Head of Elections and Party Monitoring who allegedly refused to transmit the primary report, claiming he was out of town on the date of the exercise.
Asogwa described the excuse as untenable and negligent. “Electoral rights cannot be subjected to the convenience of individual officers. INEC should have made alternative arrangements,” he stated.
He noted that the Electoral Act only mandates notification of primaries, not INEC’s physical presence. “The legality of our primary cannot be vitiated by INEC’s absence,” Asogwa said.
While reposing confidence in INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, the party urged immediate investigation and sanctions for culpable officials. Asogwa warned that denying Labour Party a candidate would amount to double jeopardy and disenfranchise Enugu North voters.
He urged members and supporters to remain calm and law-abiding as the court determines the matter.
