Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been urged by Dr. Barry Avotu-Johnson, the deputy national youth leader of the Labour Party, to honor “the Court Order recognizing Barr. Julius Abure as National Chairman” of the party.
For the next bye-elections, Barr. Avotu-Johnson further urged that INEC upload the names of “our validly nominated candidates.”
It’s not too much to ask for. Nigeria shouldn’t be an exception to the rule of law and justice, which are characteristics of democracies everywhere.
He issued the call on Wednesday when he led a group of demonstrators composed of members of Civil Society Organizations and candidates from the Julius Abure-led Labour Party (LP) in a nonviolent demonstration to the commission’s Abuja headquarters in anticipation of the August 16, 2025, bye-elections that are planned to take place across the country.
The demonstrators held signs that read, among other things, “Tell INEC to obey court orders,” “Mahmood stop destroying democracy in Nigeria,” and “INEC, who is using you against LP.”
Mr. Peter Ugwu stated, “We are here to demand for our rights,” reaffirming the demands expressed by Avotu-Johnson, the party’s FCT Chapter Chairman.
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“In the FCT, we elected candidates for this election through primaries. Regretfully, our candidates’ names have not been posted on the INEC portal, but those of other political parties have. INEC should take the necessary action to rectify this issue.
“This is about democracy and the rule of law,” stated Mr. Peter Piper, the CSOs’ spokesperson. When one person is hurt, everyone is harmed.
Abdulahi Zuru, the National Commissioner of INEC, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman, responded by promising to relay the protesters’ message to the commission’s leadership.
