The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has provided clarification on why it declined to grant the Labour Party (LP) access codes for the upload of its candidates for the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
The commission said its position was guided strictly by law, stressing that there was no subsisting court order directing it to issue the access codes to the party. The FCT Area Council election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
INEC’s explanation was contained in a statement issued and signed by its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the clarification became necessary following a protest staged by some Labour Party supporters at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The protesters had accused INEC of deliberately preventing the party from participating fully in the electoral process. The electoral body, however, maintained that its actions were in line with extant electoral laws and internal guidelines governing party primaries and candidate nominations.
It emphasised that until a competent court issues a valid order directing otherwise, the commission is not legally bound to release the access codes requested by the Labour Party.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality and due process, assuring all political parties of a level playing field ahead of the FCT Area Council elections, while urging stakeholders to seek redress through lawful means rather than resorting to protests or misinformation.
