The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that Julius Abure is no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party, citing the expiration of his tenure in June 2024.
This development comes as INEC responds to a lawsuit filed by the Labour Party, challenging its exclusion from the commission’s refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
In a counter-affidavit, INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa, SAN, argued that the Labour Party’s March 2024 National Convention, which re-elected Abure as chairman, contravened both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act. As a result, INEC refuses to recognize Abure’s leadership or engage with the party.
*INEC’s Stance*
– The Labour Party’s leadership, including Abure, is invalid due to the expiration of their tenures.
– The party’s March 2024 National Convention was unconstitutional.
– INEC only deals with parties having legitimate leadership in place.
INEC’s lawyers emphasized that the Labour Party must prove its case, despite admissions presented, to seek declaratory reliefs ¹. They urged the court to dismiss the suit, stating that the Labour Party is not entitled to the reliefs sought.
The Labour Party’s leadership crisis has been ongoing, with significant party figures, including Peter Obi and Dr. Alex Otti, boycotting the March 2024 National Convention due to alleged lack of consultation ². INEC maintains its stance that the Labour Party’s leadership is invalid until proven otherwise in court ¹.
