Federal High Court in Abuja has officially recognized Julius Abure as the legitimate National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). The ruling, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, affirmed Abure’s leadership following the party’s national convention held in Nnewi in March 2024.
Justice Nwite upheld the results of the convention, which saw the re-election of Abure as chairman, dismissing challenges to his leadership. The court further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially recognize Abure as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party.
“I believe, and therefore hold, that based on substantial, verifiable documents, the defendants’ attempt to challenge the legitimacy of the plaintiff’s leadership is unsuccessful,” Justice Nwite said in his judgment.
He added, “The plaintiff has successfully demonstrated his case. I now order the defendant to grant the plaintiff’s political party, under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure, all the rights and privileges accorded to a duly registered political party in Nigeria.”
INEC’s Challenge to Abure’s Leadership
INEC had previously contested the legality of the Labour Party’s March convention, arguing that it violated the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act. The electoral body stated that Abure’s term as chairman was set to expire in June 2024 and, therefore, his re-election in March was invalid.
INEC’s objection came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Labour Party, which was excluded from the electoral body’s refresher training for party agents ahead of the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
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INEC argued that the Labour Party failed to meet the necessary legal requirements to conduct its national convention, rendering the leadership of the party illegitimate. The commission emphasized that it would only engage with parties that have valid leadership in place.
“The Labour Party’s convention did not fulfill the legal criteria, and therefore, the leadership of Julius Abure is not recognized,” INEC’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Tanko Inuwa, had stated.
They also argued that the Labour Party’s lawsuit sought declaratory reliefs that could not be granted solely based on the party’s claims without sufficient evidence.
Court’s Decision Clears Path for Abure
The court’s ruling, however, refuted INEC’s position, stating that the evidence provided by the Labour Party sufficiently proved the legality of the March convention and Abure’s leadership. Justice Nwite’s decision is expected to strengthen the Labour Party’s internal structure as the party prepares for upcoming elections and political activities.
This ruling ends months of uncertainty over the leadership of the Labour Party, with Abure now officially recognized as the National Chairman. His leadership will be crucial as the party looks ahead to crucial governorship elections in Edo and Ondo, where they hope to make a strong showing.