Labour Party condemns Saturdays by elections

By Diafa Doubra,

The Labour Party has openly condemned the conduct of Saturday’s by-elections held across several states in the country, describing the process as deeply flawed and riddled with irregularities. In a statement released after the polls, the party expressed serious disappointment over what it termed a clear indication that Nigeria’s electoral system still faces major challenges despite repeated promises of reform and transparency.

According to the Labour Party, incidents of voter intimidation, vote buying, and manipulation of results were reported in a number of constituencies, undermining the credibility of the entire exercise. The party stressed that such practices not only erode public trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but also threaten the very foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.

Raising concerns about the future, the Labour Party cautioned that if these issues are not urgently addressed, the 2027 general elections could face even greater credibility problems. It emphasized that Nigerians deserve free, fair, and transparent elections, where the will of the people is respected without interference or manipulation.

The party further called on INEC, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders to take proactive steps to restore public confidence in the electoral process. It urged civil society organizations and the international community to remain vigilant and hold the Nigerian government accountable in ensuring that future elections truly reflect the choice of the electorate.

“The irregularities witnessed during these by-elections are a wake-up call,” the statement read. “If Nigeria must move forward as a democratic nation, there must be a collective effort to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot and guarantee that the people’s votes count, especially as we look ahead to 2027.”