There is tension in the Labour as the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must officially recognise Julius Abure as the legitimate Chairman of the Labour Party.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Nwite who 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.
Abure-led faction accused Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, 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 stated that, “We only engage with parties that have legitimate leadership in place.” Led 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, criticising those advocating for Abure’s ouster.