Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored the name of the Labour Party (LP) candidate to the list of contestants for the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026. The development came after the Nenadi Usman‑led leadership of the party filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 8, 2026, challenging what it called the wrongful exclusion of its candidate from the poll.
The Enugu North senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Senator Okey Ezea, who was elected on the Labour Party platform in 2023. He passed away on November 18, 2025. INEC had earlier published a list of candidates cleared for the by‑election across six states, but the Labour Party and its candidate, Ambassador Simon Ejike Eze, were conspicuously absent from the Enugu North list, despite the party having fulfilled all statutory requirements.
In a statement issued on Saturday, June 13, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Ken Asogwa, confirmed that the party had now been properly included. “The Labour Party wishes to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for correcting the earlier omission of the party and its candidate from the list of contestants for the forthcoming Enugu North Senatorial District by‑election scheduled for June 20, 2026,” the statement read. He explained that the correction followed engagements between the party leadership and the commission. “Following engagements with the leadership of the Commission, the oversight has now been rectified, and the Labour Party and its candidate have been appropriately included in the election.”
Asogwa also told TheCable that the party had instructed its lawyers to withdraw the suit it filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja, on June 8. “The party’s legal team will withdraw the suit on Monday when the hearing resumes at the Abuja court,” he said.
The Labour Party had gone to court after its candidate was omitted from the election on the pretext that the INEC officer in charge of Elections and Party Monitoring in Enugu State had not been available to monitor the party’s primary election. The party described the excuse as “tenuous” and argued that the legality of a primary election cannot be made dependent on the convenience of a single electoral officer.
The party also commended its supporters for their vigilance. “The party also wishes to appreciate its teeming supporters, members, and well‑wishers who showed concern and made enquiries regarding the status of the Party in the forthcoming poll. Your vigilance, commitment, and unwavering faith in the Party remain invaluable,” Asogwa said.
The Labour Party expressed confidence in the leadership of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, and his commitment to fairness, justice and due process. “By ensuring that the right thing was done, the Commission has demonstrated responsiveness and reinforced public confidence in the electoral process,” Asogwa added.
The party said it is now fully prepared to participate in the by‑election and offer the people of Enugu North credible and people‑oriented representation for the remainder of the 10th Senate.
NB: Below are the photographs of the Labour Party candidate, Ambassador Simon Ejike Eze, and the late Senator Okey Ezea.
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