Politics
FCT poll: Why we blocked Labour Party from uploading candidates — INEC
By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA—The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has explained the circumstances surrounding its refusal to issue access codes to Labour Party, LP, for the upload of candidates for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area council election, insisting there was currently no valid court order compelling it to do so.
The election is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
In a statement issued and signed yesterday by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, the commission said the explanation followed a protest by some Labour Party supporters at INEC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The protesters had complained about the “exclusion of their candidates for the Federal Capital Territory FCT Area Council Election” and “demanded the issuance of access code to upload its candidates for the election.”
INEC stated that the controversy was rooted in Labour Party’s prolonged internal leadership crisis, noting that Labour Party had been enmeshed in prolonged internal leadership disputes since 2024, which culminated in the judgment of the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025 (Usman v. Labour Party) delivered on 4th April 2025.
According to the commission, the Supreme Court “unequivocally held that the tenure of the Barr. Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired.”
Despite the apex court’s decision, INEC said the Abure-led faction purportedly conducted primaries for the August 16, 2025, bye-election nationwide and the FCT Area council election, a development that led to legal confrontations between the party and the electoral body.
The commission recalled that the faction had approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1523/2025 – Labour Party v. INEC, challenging its exclusion from the bye-election.
It noted that “judgment was delivered on 15th August, 2025, dismissing the suit and enforcing the Supreme Court’s position that Barr. Julius Abure was no longer recognized as the national chairman of Labour Party and thus upholding the decision of INEC to exclude Labour Party from the bye-election.”
INEC further disclosed that the party subsequently filed multiple suits in different courts, all seeking orders compelling the commission to grant access codes for the upload of candidates for the FCT Area Council election.
These include “Suit No. NSD/LF.84/2024 before the Nasarawa State High Court, Akwanga Division,” and later “Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2110/2025 seeking an Order compelling INEC to issue access codes to its candidates,” which the commission said “is still pending before the court.”
The commission also revealed that Labour Party filed another suit at the FCT High Court, Jabi Division, marked “Suit No. CV/4792/2025,” alongside a motion seeking an order compelling INEC to issue access codes.
According to INEC, the matter was adjourned to January 15, 2026, after it filed its reply, and that “one would have expected the party to wait for the hearing of this motion but instead, Labour Party filed another suit in Suit No. CV/4930/2025 before the FCT High Court, Life Camp Division, seeking the same relief.”
INEC said although an interim ex parte order was granted in the Life Camp suit on December 16, 2025, directing it to upload the names and particulars of Labour Party’s candidates, the court “expressly stated that the order would lapse after seven days unless extended.”
The commission explained that it promptly challenged the suit, noting that “the interim Order consequently lapsed on December 23, 2025 and was not extended,” stressing that “accordingly, there is currently no subsisting court order for INEC to act upon.”
INEC emphasised that since the matter was before the courts, it would not take any step that could undermine judicial proceedings.
It said: “Given that the matter is sub judice, INEC will continue to respect the sanctity of the judicial process and await the final determination of the pending cases.”
INEC reiterated its commitment to due process, the constitution and the electoral law, declaring that it remained guided by “the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as its Regulations and Guidelines,” while affirming that it “will continue to hold political parties accountable to democratic standards and the Rule of Law in the conduct of their internal affairs.”
Politics
Thugs attack Edo ADC secretariat, 24 hours after Jarret Tenebe, APC chairman’s threat
Hoodlums suspected to be political thugs on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, again attacked the Edo State secretariat.
Ekwutosblog reports that the incident allegedly occurred a few minutes after the state leadership of the party received Barrister Olumide Akpata.
Akpata was received by Mr. Peter Obi, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Senator Roland Owie, Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor, among others.
A Facebook user identified as Hon. Shedrach Udugbai shared the incident on her wall.
In a viral video, Udugbai showed how several vehicles were destroyed and a woman assaulted by the suspected thugs. The video also showed several plastic chairs used at the event vandalized.
According to him, the ADC secretariat in Edo was attacked by suspected APC thugs minutes after Peter Obi left the secretariat. They reportedly came in unnumbered vehicles, wearing masks and carrying guns.
“The thugs shot one woman in the neck, and she is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. They beat up another man and broke his head. Many were left injured.
“Monday Okpebholo, who is the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, cannot pretend to be unaware of what is happening.
“So ADC cannot gather again in Edo State. This is shameful. We will not be intimidated. We will not be cornered,” he said.
He alleged that the thugs also went to Chief John Odigie Oyegun’s house to attack vehicles there following the ADC secretariat incident.
The property destroyed by the suspected political thugs was clearly visible.
Ekwutosblog recalls that the ADC secretariat was previously attacked on February 5, 2026, about 20 days ago, by suspected political thugs who made a failed attempt to set the party’s building ablaze.
Ekwutosblog also recalls that the Edo State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe, had on Monday, February 23, 2026, during the commissioning of 54 construction equipment for 18 local government chairmen in the state by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, warned ADC not to campaign in the state or obstruct the state governor, Monday Okpebholo.
Tenebe said the warning was not a threat but advice.
“I advised the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) not to come into Edo State as the governor is working and the state is not for other political parties. I urge opposition parties not to constitute obstacles to development.
“I want to send a message to that party, ADC. Please, our governor is working. We are happy with what we are seeing. Edo State people are happy, everybody is happy. It is a warning and not a threat. If they like, they should take it, and if they like, let them not take it. If they try to be an obstacle to the promises we made or the number of votes we are going to give to Mr. President, if they try to stand in our way, we will deal with them accordingly,” he stated.
Politics
Six Adamawa PDP lawmakers dump party
Six members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Adamawa State House of Assembly have resigned their membership of the party.
This brings to seven the number of party members in the Assembly who have left the party in the last two days after Abubakar Abdullahi opened the gate on Monday, February 23.
Those who announced their resignation on Monday include the Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Buba Jidjiwa, representing Jada and Mbulo Constituency; Kefas Kalvin, representing Toungo Constituency; and Bulus Geoffrey, representing Leko and Koma Constituency.
Haruna Jilantikiri, representing Madagali Constituency; Kefas Emmanuel, representing Song Constituency, and Ahmed Jingi Bele representing Maiha Constituency are the other three.
The resignations are coming amid rising speculation that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is on his way to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Politics
Owerri Zone Gets Wake-Up Call from Governor Uzodimma: Unity is Key to 2027 Governorship Bid – Success Opara
At the recent meeting between political leaders of Owerri Zone (Imo East) and Governor Hope Uzodimma at Government House, Owerri, one thing stood out clearly, 2027 is not going to be business as usual.
The Governor made it clear that while the Charter of Equity is important, it should not be seen as an automatic ticket. Strategy, unity, and pragmatism must come first.
He openly acknowledged that Owerri Zone deserves a fair chance, just like other zones in the state. That statement alone is commendable. But he also gave very important advice: Don’t divide yourselves with multiple candidates. Don’t create confusion within the zone. Present one strong, credible, and electable candidate.
This is where the real work begins. Owerri Zone must learn from the past. If the leaders truly want 2027 to be different, they must put personal ambition aside and think about the collective interest of the zone and the future of Imo State. The opportunity is there. The support is declared.
The responsibility now lies with Owerri Zone. Owerri Zone deserves a chance. But they must also prove they are ready for it.

-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
