The recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja has solidified Julius Abure’s position as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, providing clarity on the party’s leadership dispute.
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must recognize Abure and the national leadership that emerged from the party’s March 2024 convention in Nnewi.
This decision comes after INEC had previously argued that the Labour Party’s leadership, including Abure, was invalid due to alleged violations of the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act during the convention.
INEC’s legal stance maintained that the Labour Party did not meet legal requirements for holding its national convention, resulting in what INEC considered to be invalid leadership.
The commission had urged the court to dismiss the Labour Party’s suit, but the court’s decision went in favor of the Abure-led faction.
This ruling also serves as a setback for some prominent figures in the Labour Party, including Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.
Both had suffered a political setback due to the internal crisis within the party, which saw conflicting claims over leadership.
The Labour Party had been embroiled in a post-election crisis, with some factions attempting to suspend Abure, especially after the Edo State chapter of the party initiated actions against him.
This crisis deepened in May 2024, when the Federal Capital Territory High Court had earlier restrained Abure and other party officials from acting as national leaders.
With this ruling, the Abure-led leadership is validated, and INEC is compelled to recognise this leadership going forward.
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