Just in: Court confirms Abure as Labour Party chairman, overturns INEC’s stance

The Federal High Court in Abuja has officially recognized Julius Abure as the authentic Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

Justice Emeka Nwite’s verdict on Tuesday upheld the Abure-led leadership and validated the March 2024 Nnewi convention that elected the national leadership.

The court’s decision overturned the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) earlier stance that Abure’s leadership was invalid.

INEC had argued that the Labour Party’s national convention breached the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act, citing the party’s failure to meet legal requirements.

However, Justice Nwite’s ruling directed INEC to recognize Abure as the authentic chairman, effectively ending the uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership.

This verdict comes after the Labour Party challenged 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 Mr. Tanko Inuwa (SAN), had contended that the Labour Party’s suit sought declaratory reliefs that cannot be granted based solely on admissions.

The party needed to prove its case, Inuwa argued.

The electoral body had previously declared Abure’s tenure expired in June 2024, rendering the party’s leadership invalid.

This stance sparked controversy, especially after Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, and Mr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, notified INEC of a 29-member caretaker committee to organize the party’s congresses and national convention within 180 days.

The judgment is expected to have significant implications for the Labour Party’s participation in upcoming elections.