INEC Explains Blocking Labour Party from Uploading Candidates for FCT Area Council Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified why it did not grant the Labour Party access to upload its candidates for the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections slated for February 21, 2026.

According to the commission, the decision stems from an internal leadership crisis within the Labour Party, which has sparked several ongoing court cases regarding the party’s legitimate leadership.

Supporters of the party had protested at INEC’s Abuja office, alleging that the commission was preventing the party from participating fully in the elections by withholding the access codes necessary to submit candidate names.

INEC explained that the matter is currently sub judice, meaning it cannot take action until the courts resolve the dispute. A previous court order that had temporarily allowed the party to upload its candidates has since expired.

The leadership tussle traces back to a Supreme Court ruling which determined that one faction’s tenure had ended, yet that faction still went ahead to conduct primaries, creating confusion over which faction has legal authority.

The commission assured that it will adhere to judicial rulings and take further action only after the courts provide a final resolution, reinforcing its commitment to uphold the rule of law ahead of the FCT elections.