A recent court decision has shaken things up in the Labour Party. This ruling could lead to major changes in the party’s leadership and future.
As tensions rise, all eyes are on the implications of this decision for the party’s future.
The Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed Julius Abure’s position as the National Chairman of the Labour Party on Tuesday.
Presiding Judge Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must validate and recognise the leadership of Abure.
The court also confirmed the legitimacy of the March 2024 Nnewi national convention, which resulted in the election of the Abure-led executive.
Court Ruling
Justice Nwite stated that “based on these cogent verifiable documents, the defendants’ attempt to challenge the leadership of the plaintiff fails.
“The plaintiff has proved his case, and I hereby order the defendant to accord the plaintiff’s political party, under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure, all the rights and privileges granted to a registered political party in Nigeria”.
Labour Party Sue INEC
In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, the Labour Party sued INEC as the sole defendant.
The plaintiff requested the court to determine whether it was entitled to receive a Notice for Refresher Training for uploading political party agents onto INEC’s portal for the upcoming Ondo State Governorship Election on November 16, 2024.
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Additionally, the Labour Party sought an order compelling INEC to recognise Abure’s leadership and requested 5 million naira in costs for the action.
INEC Contended Labour Party’s Leadership
This legal action followed INEC’s announcement that it did not recognise Abure as the National Chairman.
The Labour Party accused its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, of betrayal.
In its counter-affidavit, INEC challenged the Labour Party’s exclusion from the refresher training for party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
INEC, represented by a legal team led by Tanko Inuwa (SAN), argued that the Labour Party’s suit sought declaratory reliefs that could not be granted based solely on admissions and that the party needed to substantiate its claims.
INEC contended that the party’s leadership, including Abure, was invalid and that the March 2024 National Convention that re-elected Abure violated both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The commission stated that it only recognised parties with legitimate leadership.
Due to the Labour Party’s failure to meet the legal requirements for holding its national convention, INEC urged the court to dismiss the Labour Party’s suit.
In April 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu of a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, issued an order restraining Abure and National Secretary Farouk Ibrahim from presenting themselves as national leaders of the party.