The Federal High Court in Abuja has reaffirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) following a ruling issued by Justice Emeka Nwite. This verdict puts to rest the ongoing leadership dispute within the party and validates the March 2024 national convention held in Nnewi, which saw Abure elected as the leader of the party’s executive committee.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially recognize and validate the Abure-led leadership of the Labour Party. The court’s decision comes after months of internal wrangling within the party, as factions attempted to challenge Abure’s leadership. However, the court sided with Abure and his supporters, declaring that the documents and evidence provided were sufficient to confirm his rightful position.
Justice Nwite said, “I am of the view that, based on these cogent verifiable documents, the defendants’ attempt to impeach the validity of the leadership of the plaintiff fails.
“The plaintiff has proved his case, and 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 to a political party duly registered in Nigeria.”
The Labour Party, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, had taken legal action against INEC, seeking clarification and enforcement of their rights as a political party. Specifically, the party sought the court’s interpretation of several sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022. They wanted confirmation that they were entitled to receive notices and participate in processes related to the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2024. This included receiving a Notice of the Refresher Training for Upload of Political Party Agents onto the INEC Portal.
In addition to asking for recognition, the Labour Party also requested the court to compel INEC to pay the sum of 5 million naira in damages for the trouble caused by the leadership dispute.
