A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must officially recognise Julius Abure as the legitimate Chairman of Labour Party (LP).
The court which was presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, in a decision delivered on Tuesday, affirmed the leadership of the Abure faction of the party and validated the March 2024 Nnewi convention that established the current national leadership, directing INEC to acknowledge this authority.
Remember that the Abure-led faction accused Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti of betrayal. This allegation arose after INEC declared it did not recognise Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
In response to a lawsuit from the Labour Party contesting its exclusion from a refresher training session for party agents in preparation for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, INEC filed a counter-affidavit at the Federal High Court.
The electoral body asserted that the party’s leadership, including Abure, was illegitimate, claiming that the March 2024 National Convention that re-elected Abure violated both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.
INEC said: “We only engage with parties that have legitimate leadership in place.” Headed by Tanko Inuwa (SAN), the electoral commission’s legal team argued that the Labour Party’s request for declaratory reliefs was insufficient and required proof beyond mere admissions.
Due to the Labour Party’s failure to adhere to legal standards for conducting its national convention, INEC maintained that the party lacked valid leadership and urged the court to dismiss the Labour Party’s case, stating, “The Labour Party is not entitled to the reliefs it seeks.”
The Abure-led faction responded through spokesperson Obiora Ifoh, criticizing those advocating for Abure’s removal.
The court’s ruling now forces INEC to recognise the leadership of Abure as Labour Party’s chairman.
