THE Federal High Court in Abuja has declared Julius Abure as the substantive national chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
Delivering judgment in the suit on Tuesday, October 8, the judge, Emeka Nwite, affirmed the Abure-led leadership.
The court also recognised the March 2024 Nnewi convention that produced Abure and other executives of the party.
The judge ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Abure as the legitimate chairman of the LP, overturning the commission’s rejection of the Abure-led leadership.
The court upheld the plaintiff’s stand, citing convincing and verifiable documents.
“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.”
INEC had earlier claimed that the LP’s national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, violated the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act and failed to meet legal requirements.
INEC claimed Abure’s tenure as LP chairman expired in June 2024 and refused to recognise him as the party’s national chairman.
The INEC stated this in response to a lawsuit filed by the LP challenging its exclusion from INEC’s refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa, a senior advocate, boasted that the LP’s lawsuit seeking declaratory reliefs won’t be granted.
He added that the party needed to provide strong proof to support its case.
Meanwhile, the LP has applauded the court’s ruling. The party, in a statement signed by Abure on X on Tuesday, commended the court for reaffirming the party’s leadership and for upholding the outcome of its Nnewi convention.
“This victory is not just mine, but a victory for justice and democracy. It confirms that the rule of law prevails and that our party’s leadership remains legitimate. For this, I must first and foremost thank Almighty God for guiding us through this challenging period,” Abure stated.
The ICIR reported in September that the crisis in the LP got to its peak when the Abure-led faction withdrew the automatic ticket it previously earmarked for the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and Abia State governor, Alex Otti, for the 2027 presidential and governorship elections, respectively.
A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance