The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that Julius Abure is no longer recognized as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
According to INEC, it is "illegal and unconstitutional for Julius Abure to continue parading himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party." The electoral body emphasized that Abure's tenure, along with other members of the party’s national working committee, expired in June 2024.
This declaration was made in a counter-affidavit filed by INEC in response to a suit brought by the Labour Party. The party had challenged its exclusion from INEC's refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
INEC argued that the Labour Party’s leadership, including Abure, is now invalid, stressing that it does not recognize the party’s March 2024 National Convention, which purportedly re-elected Abure as chairman. The commission maintained that the convention contravened both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, stating that it only deals with parties that have legitimate leadership in place.
INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa, SAN, stated in their written submission supporting the counter affidavit that the Labour Party’s suit seeks declaratory reliefs, which cannot be granted merely by admission.
They argued that the Labour Party must prove its case, even with the admissions presented. Due to the Labour Party’s failure to adhere to the legal requirements in holding its national convention, INEC asserted that the party no longer has a valid leadership with which it can engage. Consequently, they prayed the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the Labour Party is not entitled to the reliefs it is seeking.
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