The factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the access code required for the upload of the party’s candidates ahead of the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

Naijaonpoint reports that Abure made the call on Tuesday during INEC’s quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders in Abuja.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, confirmed the development in a statement issued after the meeting.

The session, presided over by Acting INEC Chairman, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, was her first major engagement with party leaders since assuming office following the expiration of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure.

According to the statement, Agbamuche-Mbu assured the LP delegation that the commission would “look into the matter,” promising to review the party’s request and ensure due process.

Accompanied by the party’s factional National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim, Abure attended the meeting as the recognised national leader of the LP, a position recently reaffirmed by the courts after months of internal tussle.

While congratulating Agbamuche-Mbu on her appointment, Abure commended her legal background, saying it would help restore integrity to the electoral body.

“Once lawyers are in the saddle of leadership, it reduces, and sometimes brings to an end, impunity and injustice to the system. Once lawyers are in charge, institutions are built and democracy continues to grow,” Abure said.

He urged INEC to release the upload code without delay, insisting the party had followed due process.

Abure further stated, “The party issued notices to INEC, conducted primaries, and the list is with INEC. We therefore urge INEC to release the code to us so that we can upload our candidates and join in the ongoing campaign for the Area Council election.”

Expressing confidence in INEC under Agbamuche-Mbu, Abure said the commission was now better placed to strengthen democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He added, “We believe INEC will do better, perform better, creditably, effectively, constitutionally, and in accordance with the rule of law.”

The meeting was attended by national chairmen and secretaries of all 18 registered political parties as well as INEC national commissioners.