The Labour Party has disowned a planned protest expected to take place on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), distancing itself entirely from the group behind the demonstration and branding them as “impostors” and “political impersonators.”
In a statement issued by Ken Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Interim National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, the Labour Party made it clear that it had no involvement in the protest, which it said was being organized without its knowledge or approval.
The statement revealed that the party’s attention had been drawn to an invitation being circulated about a protest supposedly scheduled at INEC’s Abuja office. The Labour Party emphasized that those circulating the invitation were operating without authority and did not represent the party in any capacity.
“This protest is allegedly being organised by some unknown individuals purportedly operating under the banner of the Labour Party. We wish to categorically state that the said protest is not sanctioned by the Labour Party,” the statement declared.
It went on to clarify that the leadership of the party does not recognize the individuals behind the proposed protest and that such actions are not reflective of the party’s stance. The Labour Party warned the public that anyone who participates in or promotes the demonstration is doing so independently and should be regarded as an impostor.
The party also referenced INEC’s recent rejection of a list of candidates reportedly submitted by the former party chairman, Julius Abure, and his faction. It stated that the electoral commission had discarded the submission because it did not come from the recognised leadership.
The statement continued by acknowledging INEC’s action as a welcome development, expressing confidence that the commission would ultimately recognize and publish the candidate list submitted by the lawful leadership. The party insisted that Abure’s tenure had expired on June 8, 2023, and this position was backed by a Supreme Court judgement delivered on April 4, 2025.
Reaffirming its faith in the judicial and electoral processes, the Labour Party encouraged INEC to act in accordance with the court’s ruling and ignore what it called the desperate moves by Abure and his group. It further asked the Commission to update its official portals and reflect the leadership structure endorsed by the court.
The party also appealed to security agencies to intervene by apprehending those behind the protest. It stressed that the protest organisers were not acting under any legal authority and should be treated as political saboteurs.
“They are political impersonators and mischief-makers and should be treated as such. We call for their immediate arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
What You Should Know
The Labour Party is facing internal turmoil, with the leadership now under Senator Nenadi Usman confronting efforts by a rival faction led by former chairman Julius Abure. The party has clearly stated that Abure’s tenure ended in June 2023 and that a Supreme Court ruling in April 2025 validated this position.
The recent protest plans allegedly linked to Abure’s camp have been disowned by the current leadership, who are now urging security agencies to act against those involved. This episode underscores the party’s broader struggle to reassert legitimacy and maintain public trust amid factional interference and political infighting.
