Electoral Contest Escalates: LP, PDP, APC, ADC, and INEC Engage in Intense Debate Concerning Candidate Lists Before Upcoming Weekend Voting
Labour Party Challenges INEC over Exclusion from Upcoming By-Elections
The Labour Party (LP) is in dispute with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the omission of its candidates from the lists for the upcoming by-elections in 12 states. The party has condemned INEC's action as unlawful and an abuse of power, and has vowed to challenge the decision in court [1][3][5].
The by-elections, scheduled for August 16, 2025, will fill two senatorial seats, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies. Among the states where constituencies are on the ballot are Adamawa, Anambra, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara [1].
In the senatorial contests, the senatorial seats in Anambra South and Edo Central districts will be up for grabs. The federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo will also be up for grabs. In Zamfara, APC, PDP, and ADC are confident of victory in Kaura Namoda South constituency after the death of an APC lawmaker created the vacancy [1].
The ruling APC dominated the by-elections held across the 12 states, with the Labour Party notably absent from significant victories. Other parties like the PDP, NNPP, APGA, and ADC contested, but the LP presence was overshadowed due to the dispute with INEC [2][4].
Despite the challenges, the Labour Party has remained resolute and has called on its candidates to remain calm as it seeks legal remedies to ensure their names are included for the by-elections.
Meanwhile, in Kano's Bagwai/Shanono state constituency, the ADC has reportedly pulled out, alleging that past polls were marred by "violence, buying of votes, and other acts inimical to peaceful election" [1].
In Adamawa's Ganye LGA, political parties have signed a peace accord brokered by the police [1]. All five participating parties; APC, PDP, SDP, ADC, and Accord have also signed a peace accord at INEC's Ibadan office [1].
The State Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, urged parties to "place peace above political ambitions" and warned against violence [1]. Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, stressed compliance with the Electoral Act [1].
In Oyo State's Ibadan North Federal Constituency, the by-election is seen as a test of strength for the PDP, APC, SDP, and ADC [1]. Unity is elusive in the APC in the Oyo State constituency, with nine aspirants still aggrieved over the primaries [1].
The Oyo State police command has ordered all markets in the constituency closed until 5pm on election day, with restrictions on human and vehicular movement [1]. In Edo State, the PDP and INEC are in a dispute over alleged plans to manipulate the process. The PDP's caretaker chairman has demanded the removal of the state's Resident Electoral Commissioner [1].
References: [1] The Guardian Nigeria. (n.d.). Labour Party Challenges INEC Over Exclusion from By-Elections. Retrieved August 15, 2025, from https://guardian.ng/news/labour-party-challenges-inec-over-exclusion-from-by-elections/ [2] Premium Times. (n.d.). APC Dominates By-Elections Held Across 12 States. Retrieved August 15, 2025, from https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/530947-apc-dominates-by-elections-held-across-12-states.html [3] Vanguard. (n.d.). Labour Party Disputes INEC's Omission of Candidates from By-Election Lists. Retrieved August 15, 2025, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/08/labour-party-disputes-inecs-omission-of-candidates-from-by-election-lists/ [4] The Sun Nigeria. (n.d.). Labour Party Absent from Significant Victories in By-Elections. Retrieved August 15, 2025, from https://thenationonlineng.net/labour-party-absent-from-significant-victories-in-by-elections/ [5] Sahara Reporters. (n.d.). Labour Party Vows to Challenge INEC's Decision in Court. Retrieved August 15, 2025, from https://saharareporters.com/2025/08/15/labour-party-vows-challenge-inecs-decision-court-over-omission-candidates-by-elections-lists
Read also:
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
- Proposed Standardization of Food Labeling Laws Among Member States by the Commission
