The national leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has firmly distanced itself from a planned protest scheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the party’s Interim National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, Mr. Ken Asogwa, said the party was not involved in organizing or endorsing any such protest. He noted that individuals promoting the protest are not known to the legitimate leadership of the Labour Party and warned the public to disregard the action.
“The attention of the Labour Party has been drawn to an invitation circulating online regarding a supposed protest to be held at the INEC headquarters. We wish to categorically state that this protest is not authorized by the party. The organisers are unknown to us and do not have our approval,” the statement read.
The party clarified that those acting under the LP’s name in this instance are impostors, adding that they are misleading the public and misrepresenting the party. “Anyone who participates in or promotes this protest is doing so without the consent of the Labour Party and should be seen as a political impersonator,” it added.
The statement comes amid ongoing internal disputes within the party. Recently, INEC rejected a list of candidates submitted by the former National Chairman, Julius Abure, for the upcoming national bye-elections and local council polls. The Labour Party’s current leadership, led by Senator Usman, described the move as a welcome and necessary step by the electoral body.
“We received INEC’s rejection of Mr. Abure’s list with relief, as it reflects the commission’s commitment to upholding lawful leadership,” the statement noted. The party further urged INEC to update its official records in line with the Supreme Court ruling of April 4, 2025, which confirmed the end of Julius Abure’s tenure as of June 8, 2023.
While reiterating confidence in INEC’s eventual recognition of its lawful leadership, the party also called on the electoral commission to publish the authentic list of candidates submitted by Senator Usman’s leadership team.
Furthermore, the Labour Party called on security agencies to take swift action against those masquerading as party representatives. “Those behind this protest are not acting in the interest of the Labour Party. We urge the authorities to arrest and prosecute anyone found inciting or leading this unauthorized action,” the statement concluded.
This clarification follows growing public concern over leadership struggles within the Labour Party and their impact on the party’s performance at the polls. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, observers say unity within the party will be crucial to consolidating its position as a viable opposition force.
