Court Orders INEC To Recognise Abure As LP Chairman

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja has affirmed Barrister Julius Abure as the Chairman of the Labour Party.

In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Nwite ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Abure-led National Working Committee of the party.

Justice Nwite also validated the March 27 National convention of the party, at Nnewi, which returned Abure and other executives into office.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite said, “I am of the view and so hold that the basis of these cogent verifiable documents, the defendants’ attempt to impeach the validity of the leadership of the plaintiff fails.

The plaintiff has proved his case

“I hereby make an order compelling the defendant to accord the plaintiff’s political party under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure all the rights and privileges accorded a political party duly registered in Nigeria.” Justice Nwite held.

The Abure-led leadership of the party had on Sept 18 accused the party’s presidential candidate in the last election and Abia state governor, Alex. Otii of betrayal, by brushing aside the leadership, and proceeding to appoint a caretaker committee, led by Senator Nenadi Usman.

Meanwhile, INEC had disowned Abure in a counter-affidavit filed at the Federal High Court Abuja in response to the party’s suit challenging its exclusion from INEC’s refresher training for uploading party agents in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

The electoral body told the court that the exclusion was due to the fact that the LP did not have a recognised leadership, as Abure’s tenure as National Chairman expired in June 2024.

According to INEC, “it only speaks to Chairmen and Secretaries of political parties,” and the party had failed to meet the standard requirements.