A Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld the exclusion of Labour Party candidates from the upcoming Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled for February 21. The court’s decision, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, dismissed a suit filed by the Labour Party and its candidates against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The Labour Party had argued that INEC unlawfully excluded its nominated candidates from the final list published in September 2025. The party claimed it wrote to INEC on September 8 and October 2, 2025, to complain about the omission, but the commission did not respond. The party sought the court’s intervention to prevent its exclusion from the election.
However, Justice Lifu ruled that the case fell under pre-election litigation, which, according to the 1999 Constitution, must be filed within 14 days after the cause of action arose. The court noted that the suit was filed on October 7, 2025, while the cause of action occurred on October 22, 2025, exceeding the stipulated timeframe.
The Labour Party’s exclusion from the election has significant implications for the party’s participation in the FCT Council poll. The party had nominated candidates to contest in the election, but their exclusion may affect the party’s chances of winning seats in the council.
The court’s decision is based on the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which sets out the timeframe for filing pre-election matters. The Constitution aims to ensure that electoral disputes are resolved promptly, allowing for the smooth conduct of elections.
The Labour Party may consider appealing the court’s decision, but for now, its candidates will not be participating in the February 21 election. The party’s exclusion may also have implications for the overall conduct of the election, as it may affect the representation of the party’s constituents in the FCT Council.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has not commented on the court’s decision, but the commission is expected to proceed with the election as scheduled. The election is expected to be closely watched, given the significance of the FCT Council in the country’s governance structure.
