Abure’s re-election: INEC rejects convention, as BoT announces takeover

Controversies have continued to trail the re-election of Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party.

This is as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the national convention which held in Anambra State on Wednesday.

The electoral body giving reasons for the rejection noted that the convention flouted the laws and regulations guiding conduct of national conventions by political parties.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the body explained that the conduct of the convention was not monitored by INEC, thereby rendering the whole exercise and its outcome a nullity.

The implication of INEC’s position is that the whole exercise was in futility and all its outcomes are null and void.

The LP convention returned Abure as National Chairman at a convention, while some national officers of the party were also returned, it also endorsed its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi for 2027 presidential election.

By the latest development from INEC all these stands are nullified, and of no effect.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which has been having a running battle with Abure had earlier rejected the convention.

Meanwhile, in a statement by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Sylvester Ejiofor, the LP said the BoT has taken over the party, following the “expiration of the tenure of the National Working Committee of the party led by its National Chairman, Julius Abure.”

The BoT said it was taking over to avoid any leadership vacuum.

The statement said the BoT of the party in consultation with major stakeholders, will soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive national convention.