By Abigail Philip David
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, confirmed Julius Abure’s position as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ruling, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize and validate the leadership of the party under Abure.
The court also upheld the results of the Labour Party’s national convention held in Nnewi in March 2024, which led to the re-election of Abure and his executive team.
Justice Nwite ruled, “Based on the substantial evidence presented, the defendants’ efforts to challenge the legitimacy of the plaintiff’s leadership have failed. The plaintiff has proven its case, and I order that the plaintiff’s political party, under Barrister Julius Abure, be granted all rights and privileges of a duly registered political party in Nigeria.”
The Labour Party, in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, filed a suit against INEC, seeking the court’s interpretation of several sections of the 1999 Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act. The party asked for a directive for INEC to issue it notice for refresher training to upload party agents ahead of the November 16, 2024, Ondo State governorship election.
The party also sought an order for INEC to recognize the leadership of Abure and requested 5 million naira in damages.
Earlier, INEC had refused to recognize Abure as the Labour Party chairman, citing irregularities in the party’s national convention. The commission, represented by Tanko Inuwa (SAN), argued that the party had failed to meet legal requirements, making its leadership, including Abure, invalid. INEC maintained that it only deals with parties with legitimate leadership and urged the court to dismiss the suit.
This ruling comes months after a Federal Capital Territory High Court had, in April 2023, barred Abure and other LP leaders from parading themselves as executives of the party. However, the latest decision by Justice Nwite reinforces Abure’s position as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party.
