The Labour Party has denounced last weekend’s by-elections in which it was excluded from participating, describing the process as fraudulent and orchestrated to weaken opposition politics. Acting national chairman Senator Nenadi Usman, twice confirmed by the party’s constitutional organs to lead an interim executive, issued a statement of reassurance to members, insisting the setback would not derail the party’s ambitions.

The August 16 polls were held across 13 states for 16 legislative seats. The ruling All Progressives Congress won 12, in results widely criticised as compromised. Observers and the Labour Party itself described the contests as “a violent heist and daylight fraud.”

In a statement read by the party’s interim publicity secretary, Prince Tony Akeni, Senator Usman said the exclusion was the result of “a protracted leadership crisis consciously orchestrated by the defunct national chairman Julius Abure and his collaborators to sabotage the party.” She argued that Abure’s faction “once more proved they were on a mission to destroy our party’s electoral potential on behalf of their well-known paymasters.”

The acting chairman accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of colluding in the exclusion. “The brazen exclusion of Labour Party without courtesy of advance notice was a direct plot, hatched because the ruling APC rightly considers our party a veritable threat to its low ballot standing. In free and fair polls, we would triumph overwhelmingly,” she said.

She directed a message to party candidates who were preparing to contest, praising their effort and acknowledging their disappointment. “We know you prepared at much cost, suffered the rigours of campaigns, mobilised resources, and endured psychological trauma only to be denied your constitutional rights. Remain steadfast. With your manifestos reflecting the Peter Obi ideology of good governance, Nigeria shall be free one day,” she said.

Peter Obi

Senator Usman vowed that the Labour Party would press for full recognition of its interim leadership by INEC to prevent a repeat of what she called “ballot apartheid and franchise robbery.” She emphasised that her message had the backing of Peter Obi, Datti Baba-Ahmed, Governor Alex Otti and all Labour Party legislators, signalling unity ahead of the 2027 elections.

Her statement also set the party’s challenges against a broader national context. She warned that Nigeria faced “dire dangers” from insecurity, corruption and reckless borrowing. “Let us work as one to redeem our stolen progress and regain our Papa-Mama-Pikin political space. We shall re-invent the mass appeal that frightened Nigeria’s enemies in 2023, this time for unstoppable victory,” she said.

Senator Usman extended her appeal beyond party lines, calling on organised labour and civil society groups to form a wider alliance. “Throughout our country, the Labour Party is the true home for unions under the NLC, TUC and democracy movements. But Labour Party alone cannot liberate Nigeria. Today we open our doors for a save-Nigeria partnership,” she said.

Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed

She urged rights advocates to consolidate efforts under a single platform, naming prominent figures including Femi Falana, Omoyele Sowore, Deji Adeyanju and Inibehe Effiong. “Fighting alone as lone wolves has failed. Fighting united for the journey to 2027, we can never be defeated,” she said. The party, she added, was preparing for “transparent, all-inclusive congresses and convention” and welcomed open alliances.

Rejecting the practices associated with the party’s former leadership, she pledged a new openness. “Unlike the LP of the immediate past, there are no dark rooms, back doors or casinos for transactional agendas. Only plain, open-door interface with all who come with a genuine heart committed to the rescue of our country,” she said.

The by-elections themselves reflected Nigeria’s continuing struggles with credible polls. The APC’s sweep of 12 out of 16 seats ensured its dominance in the assemblies but left opposition parties denouncing what they called intimidation and fraud. For the Labour Party, the last-minute exclusion confirmed its suspicion that its growing popularity was being deliberately checked. Critics said the episode underscored deep institutional weaknesses and raised questions about INEC’s independence.

Senator Usman’s statement therefore served both as consolation to Labour Party supporters and as a rallying call for wider pro-democracy alliances. The party’s focus is now firmly on securing recognition for its leadership, consolidating its structures, and positioning for the 2027 general elections.