The Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has formally warned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to comply with a December 16 order directing the commission to recognise and publish the Labour Party’s nominees for the FCT area council elections scheduled for February 2026.
Labour Party candidates for FCT
In a notice titled “Form 48” and issued by the court registrar on December 29, the commission was told to grant the Labour Party an access code enabling it to upload the names and particulars of its nominated candidates within 48 hours. The order, issued by Justice J. O. E. Adeyemi-Ajayi following an ex parte motion, also directed INEC to upload the candidates’ details for public scrutiny within the same timeframe.
The document cautioned that failure to obey the court’s directions would amount to contempt and could lead to the INEC chairman being committed to a Nigerian Correctional Centre. A copy of the notice addressed to Prof. Amupitan was obtained in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Labour Party brought the motion after it alleged that INEC failed to publish the names of its candidates for the February 2026 council elections despite being given timely notice. The application — marked M/16037/2025 and supported by affidavit from the party — was filed together with the substantive suit (FCT/HC/CV/4930/2025), naming INEC as the sole defendant.
According to the party’s supporting affidavit, it notified INEC of its primaries within the legally prescribed period, conducted the primaries and, within the 180-day window provided by law, submitted the list of candidates in the required forms. The Labour Party insists that INEC has a statutory duty to publish the particulars of candidates within seven days of receiving them and to make public a statement of nominees at least 150 days before the election by displaying the information at relevant offices and on its website.
The court hearing on the motion was adjourned until 27 January 2026. The interim injunctions were granted pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The December 16 order therefore remains operative until the next court date, reinforcing the requirement that INEC act within the specified period or face legal consequences.
Legal observers say the court’s insistence on timely publication underscores the judiciary’s role in enforcing electoral statutes designed to ensure transparency and public scrutiny. For political parties, rapid publication of candidate particulars is critical to allow voters and stakeholders to vet nominees and raise any objections within the timeframes set by law.
INEC has in past elections cited operational or administrative issues when publication deadlines were missed, but the issuing of a Form 48 notice marks a clear escalation. It places direct responsibility on the commission’s leadership to comply with judicial orders or face the consequences set out in the notice.
As the February 2026 FCT area council elections approach, the next court appearance on 27 January will be closely watched by political parties, civil society and electoral stakeholders for further clarification of INEC’s obligations and the judiciary’s enforcement of electoral timelines.
Key Takeaways:
- Federal High Court directed INEC to grant access and publish the Labour Party candidates for the FCT council election within 48 hours.
- The notice warns INEC Chair Prof. Joash Amupitan of contempt and possible detention if the order is disobeyed.
- The Labour Party says it complied with statutory filing timelines and accuses INEC of failing to publish candidate particulars as required by law.
