LP crisis: Caretaker c’ttee suffers setback as court overturns INEC stance, reinstates Abure as chairman
…Orders INEC to recognise Abure’s leadership after legal battle over party convention
…I forgive Obi, other political opponents — Julius Abure calls for unity in Labour Party
By Sodiq Adelakun
A Federal High Court in Abuja has validated Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party, solidifying his leadership after a disputed convention in March 2024.
On Tuesday, Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling, confirming the legitimacy of the Abure-led executive committee.
In his judgement, Justice Nwite directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to formally recognise Abure as the Labour Party’s chairman. This ruling resolves the leadership dispute within the party and reinforces Abure’s position as the rightful chairman.
Justice Nwite’s verdict came after a thorough examination of the evidence presented, which underscored the validity of Abure’s leadership.
The judge notably instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially recognise Abure as the rightful chairman, reaffirming the legitimacy of the Abure-led executive committee.
“I am of the view and so hold that the basis of these cogent verifiable documents, the defendant’s attempt to impeach the validity of the leadership of the plaintiff fails,” Justice Nwite stated in his judgement.
He emphasised the strength of the evidence, declaring, “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.”
The court’s ruling comes on the heels of mounting complications regarding the party’s leadership status, after INEC’s earlier non-recognition of Abure stemmed from claims of non-compliance with the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act during the convention. INEC had argued that Abure’s tenure was set to expire in June 2024 and pointed to alleged legal discrepancies as grounds for disqualification.
In response to this leadership crisis, a caretaker committee, headed by former Senator Nenadi Usman, was established following a stakeholders’ meeting convened by Abia State Governor Alex Otti. The meeting was attended by prominent figures, including the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.
With this ruling, the path ahead for the Labour Party now appears to be clearer, as it seeks to unify its ranks and reposition itself in the political arena. As the party navigates this new chapter under Abure’s leadership, the implications for its future activities and strategies remain to be seen.
Reacting to the reinstatement, Julius Abure, has extended an olive branch to Peter Obi and his political opponents, forgiving them for their actions during the party’s leadership crisis.
In a statement titled “A New Dawn for Labour Party: Victory, Forgiveness, and Unity,” Abure said: “Now that the court has spoken, I offer my forgiveness to those who attempted to undermine our party, engaged in character assassination and blackmail, especially of my person.
“However, in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ, I say, ‘I forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.’ Forgiveness must be accompanied by repentance and restitution.”
He also called on Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the party, to help unite the party, saying: “Be that as it may, I call on Peter Obi, the former Presidential candidate of our party to help unite the party.”
Abure praised the judiciary for their courage and integrity in delivering a judgement that upheld justice and resisted external pressures, saying: “I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the judiciary, particularly Justice Emeka Nwite, for his courage and integrity in delivering a judgement that upheld justice and resisted external pressures. His well-articulated judgement has restored our faith in the judiciary and given us hope for democracy in Nigeria.”
He also expressed confidence that the judgement marks the beginning of a new era for the Labour Party in Nigeria, saying: “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.”
Abure admitted that the party will need restructuring and healing, saying: “In the coming days, we will focus on rebuilding our structures, reconnecting with our grassroots, and uniting our members. We will heal old wounds and emerge stronger than ever before.”
