The Lagos State chapter of the Labour Party has rejected an ex-parte order restraining the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) from accepting candidates presented by executives appointed by the party’s National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure.

According to the office of the party’s legal adviser, LASIEC had conducted due diligence with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which affirmed Abure as the recognised National Chairman of the Labour Party.

In a statement on Friday, the state’s legal adviser, Tracy Amadigwe-Dike, insisted that the Lagos State Executive Committee led by Pastor Dayo Ekong was duly and lawfully constituted, describing the nomination of candidates as an internal party function protected under party autonomy.

She cited the Supreme Court judgment of April 4, 2025, in SC/CV/56/2025, which held that internal party affairs cannot be subjected to court adjudication.

“It is undisputable and verifiable that INEC — the body responsible for conducting elections — recognises only candidates submitted and approved by the Labour Party NEC led by Abure, as seen in the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election,” Amadigwe-Dike stated.

She added that in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1277/2023 before Justice D.E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, the court ordered parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the motion on notice — meaning Pastor Ekong remains the recognised Chairman of the Labour Party in Lagos State. That matter is adjourned to July 24, 2025.

Amadigwe-Dike argued that the claimant, Mr. Oluwasegun Sekonu, is neither a registered financial member, nor a candidate in the forthcoming local government elections, nor a member of the Lagos Labour Party executive, and therefore lacks the locus standi to initiate such proceedings.

On jurisdiction, she contended that the suit relates to the Labour Party’s internal affairs and candidate selection for the elections — matters outside the court’s jurisdiction.

She also pointed out that Labour Party is a necessary and interested party in the suit, without whose inclusion the case cannot be conclusively determined.

“There is no contestation over the National Chairman’s legitimacy. The March 2024 Nnewi Convention — the party’s highest organ — chaired by the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti (represented by his deputy), remains valid and unchallenged in any court. INEC has confirmed that executives appointed by Barr. Abure constitute the authentic leadership of the Labour Party in Lagos State,” she said.

The statement urged LASIEC to challenge the order in the interest of justice, equity, fair hearing, and the rule of law, stressing that the commission must respect democratic principles and the legal autonomy of political parties in electoral matters.