Appeal Court Confirms Julius Abure as Labour Party Chairman
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has confirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party. On Friday, a three-judge panel upheld the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the Abure-led leadership. The court also validated the March 2024 convention held in Nnewi, which established Abure’s leadership. This ruling ensures the Labour Party under Abure retains its legal rights as a registered political organization. Further updates are expected. The court further declared that any action that is taken outside of its jurisdiction is void. Because Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the Federal High Court’s October 8, 2024, judgment without jurisdiction, it was declared ineffective, and the court struck it out. The Appeal Court upheld its earlier ruling on November 13, 2024, which said that “Abure remains National Chairman of the Labour Party,” by dismissing the lawsuit.
Labour Party Denies Allegations of Partnership with Tinubu Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Labour Party has dismissed allegations of collusion with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, labeling the claims as baseless and defamatory. In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party expressed concern over a circulating video in which lawyer Deji Adeyanju made claims of a supposed partnership between the Labour Party and the APC. The party described the accusations as unfounded and harmful to its reputation. According to the Labour Party, the allegations contradict its role as the leading opposition in Nigeria, with its National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, consistently criticizing the current administration. The party emphasized its ongoing efforts to challenge systemic failures and advocate for electoral reforms. Recent initiatives spearheaded by the Labour Party include the establishment of an Electoral Reform Committee to promote credible elections and a Political Education Committee aimed at fostering political awareness among Nigerians. Additionally, the party has launched an e-membership registration drive to enhance participatory democracy, with thousands of Nigerians already joining. The party challenged Adeyanju to substantiate his claims with evidence or withdraw his statements and issue a public apology. It described the comments as a “criminal defamation” and a deliberate attempt to damage the party’s reputation. The Labour Party reaffirmed its commitment to holding the government accountable and denied any collaboration with President Tinubu or the APC, urging its supporters to disregard the rumors. READ ALSO: NIGERIAN AIRFORCE STRIKE IN KATSINA CAUSES COLLATERAL DAMAGE
Court Orders INEC To Recognize Julius Abure As Labour Party Chairman
The Federal High Court in Abuja has officially recognized Julius Abure as the legitimate Chairman of the Labour Party. This decision, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, reinforces the leadership structure established during the party’s national convention in Nnewi in March 2024. The court’s directive mandates that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accept Abure’s chairmanship, contradicting its previous assertion that his leadership lacked legal validity. INEC had contended that the Labour Party’s convention breached the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, claiming that proper legal protocols were not followed. The current decision of the court however, further conflicts the relationship between Mr. Abure and His Excellency Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 national election. Further developments are anticipated.
NLC Committee Storms Headquarters, Demands Abure’s Resignation
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress national transition committee, on Tuesday, stormed the headquarters of the Labour Party in Abuja, demanding the immediate resignation of the National Chairman, Julius Abure. The Acting Chairman of the transition committee, Aduwaheed Omar, led members of the labour union to the secretariat, chanting solidarity songs and calling for the resignation of Abure on grounds that his tenure as the chairman of the party had expired. Our correspondent at the scene of the protest noted, that when the officials arrived at the Party’s headquarters, the gates were immediately shut by security officials. However, in an attempt to force their way into the premises, the police fired teargas to dispatch the protesters. Protesters were later heard shouting endlessly at the security men to “open the gate”.
Abure Denies Plan To Join Edo Governorship Race
Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has stated that he has no intention of participating in the Edo State gubernatorial election to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki. In an interview on Arise Television, Abure expressed concerns about leadership failures in the country, attributing them to a lack of internal party democracy within political parties. Abure emphasized the need for an open, transparent, and competitive electoral process, pledging to work with the National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure the Edo State gubernatorial race is fair, free, and credible. He stated, “I have the responsibility to ensure the party gets the best candidate for the people of Edo State. Once again, I have no interest in becoming the gubernatorial candidate in the state.” Addressing the suspension of the party’s National Treasurer, Oluchi Okpara, over an alleged N3.5 billion fraud, Abure attributed the internal issues to external interference aimed at destabilizing the party post-2023 general elections. He remarked, “It is obvious that a lot of people are being used to disrupt and cause chaos in the party, jeopardizing its credibility as a formidable opposition force in the country.”
LP National Chairman, Julius Abure Speaks On Arrest Rumours
The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has denied rumours of his arrest. A report emerged on Wednesday that operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, on Monday, reportedly arrested and detained Abure over alleged fraud linked to the party’s governorship primary in Plateau State. The report claimed that Abure’s purported arrest followed a criminal complaint against him by Yohanna Margif, who accused him of forgery Magif, a governorship aspirant of the LP in the 2023 governorship election in Plateau State, alleged in a criminal complaint to the Police that Abure forged his signature on a letter where he (Yohanna Margif) is supposed to have withdrawn from the governorship primaries. The report claimed the embattled LP chairman was released on bail after the police obtained his statement. It also stated the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), which investigated the matter, reportedly recommended that Abure be prosecuted after it was confirmed by the Chief Registrar of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). But in a chat with Channels Television on Thursday, Abure said he was never arrested by the police or any other security agency. Abure also said that security agencies would invite him personally if they needed him.
LP crisis deepens as new factional exco emerges in Lagos
The crisis within the Labour Party (LP) has escalated further as the Alhaji Lamidi Apapa-led factional National Working Committee (NWC) officially inaugurated a rival 24-member caretaker State Working Committee (SWC) for Lagos State. This move comes amidst the emergence of a separate faction led by Prince Olumide Adesoyin, intensifying the turmoil within the party. The faction, led by Alhaji Lamidi Apapa has publicly disowned the Executive Committee led by Mrs. Dayo Ekong, which steered the party during the 2023 general elections under the leadership of Mr. Julius Abure. The recent inauguration of the Adesoyin-led LP State Working Committee by Apapa marks his resolve to assert control over the party’s affairs. Apapa, along with other NWC members, emphasized the party’s commitment to adhering to legal processes and underlined that no individual is exempt from the law’s constraints. Apapa stated unequivocally, “Labour Party will not tolerate any acts of indiscipline or illegality. Our allegiance to the rule of law is the foundation of our present position. Those who choose not to align with us should know that our journey is onward. We invite them to join us, as we seek to broaden our support.” He highlighted the grievances with former National Chairman, Mr. Julius Abure, alleging that he assumed a position above the law. Legal interventions have restrained Abure from assuming the National Chairman role, thereby validating Apapa’s leadership claim. Asserting his position, Apapa clarified that his ascendancy to the role of Acting National Chairman was a result of destiny, nature, and rightful procedure rather than a personal pursuit for power. He also emphasized the string of court victories his NWC has secured in the Federal High Court and the Appeal Court. With regards to the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections, Apapa reassured party members that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would ultimately acknowledge the candidate list produced through the faction’s primaries. Apapa argued that INEC, being an institution governed by law, is bound to uphold their legitimate candidate list. While saying that he’s not opposed to reconciliation, Apapa underscored the importance of adhering to legal pathways. Meanwhile, Adesoyin, in his inaugural address, asserted his team’s authority over the party’s state affairs, emphasizing their commitment to navigating the party through this tumultuous period. Apapa’s leadership has been heralded by Mr. Abass Aroyeun, the National Vice Chairman (South West), who sees Apapa as breathing new life into the party. Aroyeun urged party supporters nationwide to remain steadfast in their support of Apapa’s NWC for the party’s eventual success. The newly inaugurated SWC members include key figures such as Messrs. Omotayo Anjorin, Olanrewaju Ibrahim, Kayode Yusuf, Felix Odusanya, Peter Olusegun, Nnaemeka Anajemba, Richard Oliseyenum, Azubike Peters, Akinrele Abioye, Kunle Okunola, Ademola Hassan, Abass Ibrahim, Dupe Awe, Elliot Ebije, and Samad Okufuwa, among others. The event saw the attendance of LGA and Ward Chairmen of the Labour Party, along with various stakeholders loyal to Apapa, including Chief Moshood Salvador. Notable acting NWC members also participated in the event, including Mr. Abayomi Arabambi, Alhaji Saleh Lawan, Prince Favour Reuben, and Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, reinforcing Apapa’s support within the party’s leadership ranks.