LABOUR PARTY ANAMBRA CENTRAL WELCOMES COURT OF APPEAL JUDGMENT ON ELECTORAL ACT 2026: A VICTORY FOR INTERNAL DEMOCRACY AND PARTY AUTONOMY

The attention of the Office of Ven. Tochukwu Sagacious Ikezue, Labour Party Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District, has been drawn to the landmark judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, delivered on Thursday, which struck down Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.

We have studied the unanimous judgment delivered by the panel led by Justice Balkisu Bello Aliyu, with the lead judgment by Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike in the case of Zenith Party vs INEC.

OUR POSITION

1. We welcome the judgment as a victory for constitutional democracy.
The court rightly affirmed that political parties, as associations guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, must retain reasonable discretion over their internal affairs, including how they select candidates. Over-legislation of party primaries undermines democracy.

2. This judgment deepens internal democracy within the Labour Party.
With the nullification of Section 84(2), the Labour Party in Anambra Central is now free to adopt the primary mode — Direct, Indirect, or Consensus — that best reflects the will of our members and the peculiar realities of our zone. We will consult widely with stakeholders, delegates, and party leaders to choose the most transparent and inclusive process.

3. We caution against abuse of the new discretion.
While Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) have been struck down, the court did NOT abolish the requirement for parties to maintain membership registers and submit same to INEC. We urge the National and State leadership of the Labour Party to ensure our registers are credible, updated, and reflect the true membership of Labour Party across the 7 LGAs of Anambra Central: Idemili North, Idemili South, Awka North, Awka South, Njikoka, Dunukofia, and Anaocha.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR NDI ANAMBRA CENTRAL

As we approach 2027, this judgment places greater responsibility on party leaders and candidates to prioritize unity, fairness, and issue-based politics over imposition and manipulation.

The “Rescue Mission 2027” remains committed to a process that is open, transparent, and gives every Labour Party member in Anambra Central a sense of belonging. We will not allow this new flexibility to become a tool for exclusion.

We call on INEC to issue clear guidelines in line with this judgment to avoid confusion. We also call on all aspirants within LP Anambra Central to embrace peace and continue to sell their manifesto to the people.

The task ahead is to rescue Anambra Central from under-representation, poverty, and infrastructural decay. That task is bigger than any individual or any section of the Electoral Act.

We congratulate the judiciary for standing on the side of the Constitution.

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