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  • Court sacks Abure, orders INEC to recognise Nenadi-led leadership of Labour Party

    Court sacks Abure, orders INEC to recognise Nenadi-led leadership of Labour Party

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has voided Julius Abure’s claim to be the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

    Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment on Wednesday, relied on the April 4, 2025, decision of the Supreme Court and declared that a former Minister of Finance, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, is the valid leader of the party.

    Justice Lifu then ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to forthwith recognize the Usman-led Caretaker Committee as “the only valid authority to represent the Labour Party,” pending when the party convenes a national convention.

    The judgment was on a suit marked: THC/ABJ/CS/2262/2025, filed by Usman, which has Abure and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) as defendants.

    Justice Lifu held that the evidence before him showed that Abure’s tenure, as LP’s National Chairman, had since expired.

    The judge rejected Abure’s contention that the subject of the suit related to the internal affairs of the LP as a political party, which are ordinarily non-justiciable.

    Justice Lifu held that the setting up of the Caretaker Committee of the LP, headed by Usman, was “a necessity” that arose from the order of the Supreme Court.

    Recall that following a leadership crisis in the LP, its National Executive Committee (NEC), of the party resolved to remove Abure as the National Chairman.

    To fill the leadership vacuum, the party constituted a 29-member caretaker committee, with the former Finance Minister, Usman, as Chairman.

    The decision was the outcome of an expanded stakeholders’ meeting of the party that was hosted in Umuahia by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.

    The meeting where Abure was sacked from office was chaired by his former ally and candidate of the party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi.

    Unhappy with the decision, Abure filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja to validate his position as the National Chairman of the party.

    In an affidavit he personally deposed to in support of the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, Abure told the court that following the death of the National Chairman of the LP, he was lawfully elected as the Acting National Chairman of the party at a National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the party that held in Benin City, Edo State, on March 29, 2021.

    He told the court that on April 18, 2023, at the NEC meeting of the party held in Asaba, Delta State, and duly monitored by INEC, it was resolved that tenures of State Chairmen whose tenures had expired be renewed.

    He said it was at the same meeting that some members who were engaged in anti-party activities were expelled, and replacements for vacant positions created as a result of the expulsion were made.

    Abure averred that in line with a consensus that was reached at the meeting, the party subsequently held its National Convention on March 27, 2024, at Nnewi, Anambra State, where we was lawfully elected to the office of National Chairman of the LP.

    Read Also: LP crisis: INEC, Baba-Ahmed present as Abure hosts NEC meeting

    He said the party under his leadership produced candidates for the governorship elections in both Edo and Ondo states.

    While both the High Court and the Court of Appeal upheld Abure’s case and ordered INEC to recognize him, the Supreme Court nullified the concurrent decisions of the two lower courts

    In its lead judgement that was prepared by Justice Inyang Okoro, the apex court allowed the appeal that was filed by Chairman and Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Senator Usman and Hon. Darlington Nwokocha, respectively.

    The Supreme Court equally dismissed a cross-appeal that was filed by Abure, even as it enjoined political parties to always abide by their own rules in the appointment of their officers.

    It further implored officials of political parties whose tenures have elapsed to learn to vacate their positions.

  • Abure led LP secures Court order to upload candidates on INEC’s portal

    Abure led LP secures Court order to upload candidates on INEC’s portal

    A High Court of Nasarawa state division has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accord recognition to Barrister Julius Abure (National Chairman) and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim (National Secretary) as the authentic leadership of the Labour Party. 

    The court, presided over by His Lordship, Hon Justice Mustapha A. Ramat of the Nasarawa state division, had on July 23, 2025 in a SUIT NO. NSD/LF.84/2024 in an interlocutory order directed INEC to also grant Access Code to Julius Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim to upload the names and particulars of their nominated candidates for the bye – elections and the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections as scheduled by the INEC.

    In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh on Friday, the party accused INEC of refusing to publish the names of the nominated candidates by the party in a bye-election scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 16 (today) as well as the FCT council elections scheduled for early 2026 despite the court order.

    Read Also: Abure remains Labour Party’s national chairman, says Peter Obi’s ex-running mate Baba-Ahmed

    Ifoh applauded the intervention of the court describing it as a welcome development and an order which will right the many wrongs meted to the authentic leadership of the party.

    He said, “We received this intervention with a heart full of gratitude. We are however hoping that INEC as a law abiding institution, will do the needful by formally publishing the names of our nominees for the bye election and the FCT council elections without further delay.

    “We are, however, not happy that our candidates have not been given equal opportunity and time to campaign like other political parties. As it stands now, our candidates, due to reasons not of theirs, were prevented from campaigning. This is clearly a systemic route orchestrated by INEC to perpetually prevent the Labour Party and their candidates from favourably participating in elections. Recall that in Ondo state, INEC granted Labour Party’s governorship candidate access code barely 24 hours to the election. This has become a norm and we will not take such treatment any longer.

    “Finally, we urge our candidates not to be undaunted or dismayed by these glaring limitations. The Labour Party is a household name. We expect nothing but victory in all these contested offices. We also call on members of the party in the affected states to once more show their indomitable and ‘never die spirit’ to return our candidates.”

  • Abure remains Labour Party’s national chairman, says Peter Obi’s ex-running mate Baba-Ahmed

    Abure remains Labour Party’s national chairman, says Peter Obi’s ex-running mate Baba-Ahmed

    …he is entitled to his opinion – Nenadi Usman

    Vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Dr Yusuf Baba-ahmed, has admitted that Julius Abure remains the national chairman of the party following the Supreme Court ruling.

    Baba-Ahmed stated this on Wednesday while speaking as a guest on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme.

    On Monday, he attended the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Julius Abure-led faction of the LP in Abuja, where he announced his interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.

    Baba-Ahmed admitted to taking part in a meeting convened by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in Umuahia, where Nenadi Usman was appointed acting chairman of the LP.

    That faction enjoys the support of the presidential candidate of the LP in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.

    The faction had its NEC meeting at the weekend, where it reappointed Senator Usman as interim chairman and Sen. Darlington Nkwocha as interim national secretary.

    The meeting was attended by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero.

    The faction dismissed the Abure-led group as irrelevant.

    READ ALSO; Shippers’ Council commits to execution-driven reform framework

    But speaking on Wednesday on the television programme, Baba-Ahmed said, “When INEC raised issues about the tenure of Abure that necessitated the responses in Umuahia, Abia State, and we did so clearly, legally and legitimately, and I was part of it.

    “The Supreme Court gave a ruling which we interpreted again in favour of the Nenadi Usman group.

    “Afterwards, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continued to relate with the Abure faction. We are law-abiding citizens. Members of the Labour Party are being remote-controlled and played with by some powerful forces out there. But they can’t continue to do this forever. Very soon it will end, and what you see going on now is what the authorities at that time said.

    “Right now, INEC has been dealing with Julius Abure. So as far as law is concerned, it is in order to relate to Abure.

    “And if the Supreme Court gives another interpretation, that it is Nenadi Usman, the law is the law.”

    The 2023 vice presidential candidate of the LP also said that the former Anambra State Governor was free to seek the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 elections, whether or not he returns as his running mate.

    He said, “They are two key individuals that I have tremendous respect for; one is Peter Obi. I welcome him openly.

    “The Labour Party welcomes him to come and retain the Labour Party ticket and contest in 2027 with or without me. And the ADC is welcome to adopt a southern candidate.”

    The former senator said Nigeria needs leaders with the capacity to govern effectively and not deliver failure.

    “We want capacity. We want compassion. We want people who will develop Nigeria, leaders that matter, leaders that deliver promises, not those who will promise governance and deliver disaster,” he stated.

    While responding to concerns that Obi’s recent participation in coalition talks led by the African Democratic Congress amounted to anti-party activity, Baba-Ahmed said it was not the case.

    He said, “This is not an anti-party activity. It is an unfolding situation. The meaning of a coalition is that political parties, interest groups, and individuals are coming together. It’s an unfolding situation.

    “I attended coalition meetings. Peter Obi is welcome to continue to attend those coalition meetings.”

    He also shared his position on the contentious issue of zoning ahead of the 2027 general election, stating that the South should produce the next president.

    Nenadi Usman said Baba-Ahmed, like every Nigerian, was entitled to his personal opinions and freedom of association concerning the leadership of the party.

    A statement by Ken Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser, Media, to the Interim National Chairman, said, “While Dr. Baba-Ahmed, like every Nigerian, is entitled to his personal opinions and freedom of association, it is imperative to state that the leadership question within the Labour Party has been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

    “For the sake of clarity, and to avoid further distortion of facts, the Labour Party wishes to reiterate the unequivocal verdict of the apex court as delivered on 4th April 2025. At page 47 of the judgement, Their Lordships held:

    “Consequent upon the foregoing, the decisions of both trial court and the court below recognising Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the 1st Respondent are hereby set aside and suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024 is hereby struck out for want of jurisdiction.

    “Furthermore, the Court ruled: ‘In the final analysis, I find this appeal to be meritorious and is hereby allowed. Parties shall bear their respective costs. Appeal Allowed.’

    “This unambiguous ruling of the Supreme Court – Nigeria’s highest judicial authority – effectively nullifies any claim by Barr. Julius Abure to the office of National Chairman of the Labour Party. It also upholds the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman, who was the appellant in the said matter and upon whose appeal all reliefs sought were granted.

    “While the party respects the right of Dr. Baba-Ahmed and other members to hold personal views, it is important to remember that the acceptance of and adherence to the finality of the judgements of the Supreme Court has never been, and will never be, a matter of choice but compulsion. The Labour Party is bound by that finality and expects all members to align accordingly.

    “We acknowledge Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s stated intention to foster reconciliation within the party. That in itself is commendable. However, such efforts must be rooted in truth, guided by respect for the rule of law, and anchored on the existing legal realities.

    “As the Labour Party prepares for its ward, local government, and state congresses, culminating in the forthcoming national convention, the Interim National Chairman of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman, continues to call for peace, unity, and internal cohesion. Only a united Labour Party can effectively confront and offer a credible alternative to the APC-led federal government and its failed governance trajectory.

    “We urge all party faithful to remain calm, steadfast, and resolute as the leadership reaches out to all aggrieved members in the interest of lasting reconciliation and progress.”

  • PHOTOS: Abure meets Wike in Abuja

    PHOTOS: Abure meets Wike in Abuja

  • Coalition: Abure-led LP gives Obi 48 hours to leave party

    Coalition: Abure-led LP gives Obi 48 hours to leave party

    The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has given Peter Obi a 48-hour ultimatum to leave the party after he joined the coalition.

    Obi was among the frontline politicians who joined the coalition adopting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday, using their platform to contest the 2027 poll with the sole objective of unseating President Bola Tinubu.

    However, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement in Abuja, on Thursday, explained that the Labour Party under Abure’s leadership remains vehemently opposed to joining the coalition while dismissing members of the coalition as “power mongers whose only interest was self and not the people.”

    The party warned Nigerians that the often mouthed ‘new Nigeria is Possible’ is a ruse and cannot be achieved with the assemblage of old, recycled, desperate and frustrated politicians in the coalition.

    Ifoh said the party is aware that all those who mismanaged Nigeria over the years are the ones that gathered themselves in the coalition while noting that desperate politicians can’t birth new Nigeria.

    He said: “We are aware of several nocturnal meetings between Peter Obi and some of our members, lobbying them to join him in his new party. We’re also aware that a number of them has refused to defect with him.

    Read Also: Ajaero, Abure disagree on cause of LP crisis

    “Labour Party has consistently said it is not part of the coalition and therefore, any of our members who is part of the coalition is given within 48 hours to formally resign his membership of the party.

    “Labour Party is not available for people with dual agenda, people with deceptive persona. The party will not avail itself to individuals who have one leg in one Party and another leg elsewhere.

    “People that in the morning, they will claim to be in the Labour Party and in the evening they are in coalition.

    “Nearly 70 percent of Nigerian population are youths who are tired of the old order, tired of gerontocrats deciding their fate. The new Nigeria that the youths are dreaming of, is not what can be realized from what we are seeing in the coalition.

    “These people are opportunistic politicians who are only interested in relaunching themselves into circle of power, people who are desperate to continue holding on to power.

    “The new Nigeria of our dream can only be realized through Labour Party and the party is willing to lead Nigerians along that trajectory.

    “I therefore urge all members of the party to remain loyal and keep the party structure intact ahead of future elections.”

  • Nenadi backs Obi’s coalition talks, Abure disagrees

    Nenadi backs Obi’s coalition talks, Abure disagrees

    Labour Party (LP) factions yesterday clashed over the coalition plans of the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi.

    The Julius Abure-led faction carpeted Obi for associating with leaders of a coalition against President Bola Tinubu after it ruled out participating in any coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

    National Publicity Secretary of the Abure-led faction, Obiora Ifoh, said Obi’s continued association with the coalition was not only distasteful but unacceptable to it.

    But, the LP National Caretaker Committee (LP-NCC) said Obi has its backing to attend opposition coalition talks.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, said this in a statement by her Special Adviser (Media), Ken Asogwa.

    The LP-NCC said it was fully aware and supportive of Obi’s participation in the talks.

    The Abure-led faction said Obi’s romance with pro-coalition leaders was confusing, adding that the former Anambra State governor had not come to terms with his intentions for the 2027 presidential race.

    It said: “Obi, hours after he spoke of his intention to run under the LP, was on Sunday seen in a meeting of a pro-coalition group in Abuja without the permission and consent of the LP leadership.

    “This to us is confusing, and we think that Obi has not come to terms with his intentions for the 2027 presidential race.

    “We have consistently said that LP will not go into any coalition or merger of any sort ahead of the 2027 general election.

    Read Also: Obi’s coalition project affront to party leadership – LP

    “Therefore, Obi’s continued association with the coalition is not only distasteful but unacceptable to the party.

    “It is also an affront to the party leadership, and we view his position as a total disregard to the party’s right to make decisions governing its affairs.

    “We are therefore, by this statement, letting Nigerians know that the presidency for 2027 is open to anyone who wants to run under the platform of the party.”

    But, the Usman-led LP-NCC said Obi has its backing to hold coalition talks.

    The statement said: “The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to reports circulating in some sections of the media suggesting that certain former members of our party, led by the suspended chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, have voiced disapproval over the participation of our 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the ongoing coalition movement aimed at rescuing Nigeria from the failed APC administration in 2027.

    “To be clear, the National Caretaker Committee of the LP, under Senator Usman, expressly approved and endorsed Obi’s participation in the ongoing patriotic convergence of well-meaning Nigerians committed to dismantling the rudderless Tinubu administration.

    “It is worth reiterating that Obi has consistently maintained that his interest lies solely in a coalition focused on eradicating hunger, insecurity, and poor governance – a vision that aligns squarely with the founding principles and aspirations of the LP.

    “It is, therefore, baffling that individuals who have been shown the exit door for their anti-party activities now seek to question a move so clearly rooted in national interest.

    “One is left wondering whose agenda Julius Abure and his cohorts have truly been advancing.

    “Is it that they disagree with Obi and the LP that Nigeria is presently facing an unprecedented crisis requiring collective action to salvage?

    “While the LP wholeheartedly welcomes the coalition movement driven by the Nigerian people, we also reaffirm Peter Obi’s unequivocal right to contest the 2027 elections on the LP platform, should the ongoing coalition efforts fail to materialise.

    “In the meantime, it is rather comical that Abure and his band of entertainers continue to peddle the narrative of a purported 2024 national convention which was self-convened, unlawful, and ultimately denounced by the Supreme Court of Nigeria as illegal.

    “The repeated reference to this so-called convention is not only misleading but also a flagrant contempt of the Supreme Court’s judgment and should be treated as such by the appropriate legal authorities.”

    The statement added: “In view of the foregoing, the general public is hereby advised to disregard any statements emanating from these impostors masquerading as party leaders.”

  • Ajaero, Abure disagree on cause of LP crisis

    Ajaero, Abure disagree on cause of LP crisis

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero and factional Labour Party (LP) National Chairman Julius Abure yesterday disagreed over the causes of the protracted crises that have assailed the platform.

    Ajaero alleged that government agencies are actively working to destabilise the party through various means.

    But the factional chairman disagreed, saying that the umbrella workers’ union is behind the LP’s woes.

    Abure chided Ajaero for hypocrisy,  saying that he is plotting to destabilise the party.

    The LP, which came third in the 2023 presidential poll, has sunk deeper into leadership crisis as three forces – NLC, the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Abure and the National Caretaker Committee (NCC), led by Senator Esther Nenadi-Usman – are locked in supremacy battle.

    The NLC, which is the acclaimed founder of the party, through its Political Committee, has insisted that Abure’s tenure as chairman had expired.

    The labour centre is also threatening to take over the party secretariats in states.

    READ ALSO: Oloyede: Beyond the glitch

    Also, the NCC, backed by the lone LP Governor Alex Otti (Abia) and its 2023 presidential candidate,  Peter Obi, have withdrawn recognition from Abure.

    The NCC also held another stakeholders meeting yesterday.

    However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave the nod to the Anambra State LP governorship candidate, George Moghalu, whose name was forwarded by the Abure faction to contest the November poll.

    When the crisis shifted to the court, the Supreme Court ruled that it should be settled by the party because it is a party affair.

    Ajaero, who reflected on the crisis during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party declared that government agencies are troubling the party.

    He said the platform was open to defectors, saying equal opportunities would be given to them, irrespective of social status, religion, or ethnicity.

    Ajaero said: “All agencies of government are involved in these destabilisation plots. We must be clear about this.

    “They must be told to remove their hands from the organisation of the Workers’ Party. That is a sin. Across over 57 countries of the world, Labour Parties are functional and driven by workers’ unions.”

    Ajaero said the British Trades Union Congress (TUC) has operated the Labour Party for decades, using a union office, as an example of global practice.

    He queried: “So, why should Nigeria be different? Why would the government put eyes on the Labour Party here?”

    Ajaero said LP is not the exclusive preserve of the NLC, adding that it is a party “formed by Congress and given to Nigerians with a clear-cut ideology.”

    He emphasised the platform’s openness and commitment to inclusivity.

    Ajaero also criticised attempts to use the Supreme Court to interfere in the internal affairs of the party, pointing out that the apex court had already ruled that internal crises should be resolved through mechanisms within the party.

    He added: “When people talk about Supreme Court rulings, I wonder if the Supreme Court is now the one to run political parties. It is not the Supreme Court that constitutes the Labour Party”.

    But, in a statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the Abure faction,  Obiora Ifoh, said: “We must state clearly and categorically that if there is any person or organisation that has destabilised the Labour Party or who is working to destabilise the party, it is no other person than Joe Ajero and the NLC.”

    The statement reads: “We must also state here that after the general election in 2023, the party has no issues at all, we had no faction and we had no major disagreement in the party. It was Ajero who went ahead to illegally, unprofessionally and unconstitutionally set up a so-called Transition Committee which went all over the place making noise and debasing the image of the party.

    “It was the same Committee set up by Ajero that was going to INEC everyday, constituting nuisance, all in attempt to destabilise the party, mobilising people, including old and retired men, including Abdulawaheed Omar, Comrade Ejiofor, Lawson Osagie and Prof Theophilus Ndubaku, men who should be resting after many years of serving their fatherland, to go against the interest of the party.

    “Nigerians all over, have asked Ajero to concentrate on his primary assignment to fight for the welfare of workers. The regulatory body in charge of the Labour Union in the Ministry of Labour has also publicly admonished Ajero to excuse himself from matters concerning politics and to face his legitimate assignment as a defender of workers rights.

    “We put it on record that Ajero’s led NLC in all its ramifications has failed the Nigerian workers. Ajero is busy plotting his future political ambition and toiling with the welfare of workers.

    “Over the past few years, instead of the NLC to be in support of the party, and for the party to draw strength from the Labour movement as it’s done in some Scandinavian countries such as in Brazil, Australia etc, what we found in Nigeria is a reversed approach were the NLC which ought to be a source of strength, is constituting itself as a destabilising factor for the Labour Party.

    “Since 2015, this same NLC was the one that set up the Caretaker Committee that is unknown to the party constitution headed by one Salisu Mohammed. If there is any group or persons who have worked against the interest of the Labour Party, it is NLC and Joe Ajero. So he should not shift the blame to any person, he should squarely take responsibility for whatever is happening in the party today.

    “We are also calling on all genuine members of the Labour Party to distance themself from the illegal activities of the Nenadi Usman group and their ploy to manipulate unsuspecting party members from parting with their hard earned money through illegal Congresses they are planning. They do not have the powers to conduct any party activity, congresses inclusive. Be warned.”

  • Abure working to destroy Labour Party, says LP Reps caucus

    Abure working to destroy Labour Party, says LP Reps caucus

    The three Labour Party members of the House of Representatives purported suspended by the Abure faction of the party have accused the embattled factional chairman of working to destroy the party, saying he seemed focused on orchestrating its disintegration to appease external forces. 

    In a joint statement on Thursday, the members, (Afam Victor Ogene, Amobi Godwin Ogah and Seyi Sowunmi), said their purported suspension from the party was “laughable” and a desperate attempt by a “dethroned emperor” to cling to power.

    The former Labour Party National Chairman had on Wednesday announced the suspension of Afam Victor Ogene, who is the Leader of the Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives, Seyi Sowunmi, Deputy Leader, and Hon. Amobi Ogah, a prominent member of the caucus.

    Abure also announced the suspension of the only governor elected on the platform of the party, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti of Abia State, Senator Ireti Kingibe and Senator Darlington Nwokocha who is Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman. 

    In the statement titled “Our former National Chairman goes mad again,” the three LP lawmakers expressed shock that rather than work for the unity of the party, Abure seemed focused on orchestrating its disintegration to appease external forces driving his actions.

    They said further, “From yesterday’s overreach of himself and his band of jesters, it is now evidently clear to everyone who has followed recent events in the Labour Party, that our former national chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, has gone mad again, in a desperate move not to go down alone.

    “It’s utterly absurd that Abure, who failed to demonstrate moral integrity during his tenure as national chairman, now claims the authority to sanction party leaders. Only in Abure’s distorted reality can those with questionable character judge others. 

    “In the real world, his Supreme Court-nullified leadership status has reduced him to a self-serving shameless impostor driven by personal gain. A political party is set up for the specific goal of participating in the democratic process, especially the contestation for power.

    “Since the Peter Obi effect of 2023, what has Abure and his gang of undertakers done to enhance the fortunes of the party? In fact, we challenge him and his cohorts to name one single individual of note that they have attracted to the party since 2023.

    “From Kogi to Bayelsa, Ondo to Edo, what Abure has done is lead the Party to disastrous outcomes. All they have excelled in, is run the party as a criminal enterprise, fleecing aspirants of hard-earned cash in exchange for party ticket.

    Read Also: Otti to Abure: you’re a clown in desperate search of crown

    “Even in his native Edo, where he was dragged on the floor like a common felon because of disputations over misappropriated delegate funds, the over-bloated and egoistic Abure couldn’t even win his polling unit for the party.

    “Pained of being kicked out of his lucrative position as national chairman, on account of abuse of official malfeasance, Abure and his gang of jesters have resorted to desperate antics in a bid to stay relevant.

    “Which self-respecting national chairman of a political party busies himself running around media houses like a press boy? The last time around, it was announcing the sack and replacement of Hon. Ogene as caucus leader, but when that didn’t work, he has resorted to contriving a fake suspension order.

    “Abure has appointed himself as a willing undertaker for the destruction of the soul of the Labour Party but ironically, he is only supervising the burial plan of his image and integrity as a public servant and political leader. We wish him well.”

  • LP’s faction initiates disciplinary action against Abure, others

    LP’s faction initiates disciplinary action against Abure, others

    A faction of the Labour Party (LP) has announced disciplinary measures against a factional National Chairman, Julius Abure.

    A statement by the Acting National Chairman of the party, Sen. Nenadi Esther Usman and Acting National Secretary Sen. Darlington Nwokocha, reiterated the party’s commitment to transparency, accountability and internal democracy.

    The duo commended the judiciary for the recent Supreme Court judgment that removed Abure from his position.

    LP criticised Abure’s subsequent actions, accusing him of misrepresentation and threatening the party’s integrity.

    “We must also confront with courage and clarity Mr. Abure and his co-travellers’ divisive actions and familiar manipulative antics that threaten the integrity, public image and unity of our party.”

    “The National Executive Council (NEC) has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Abure for allegedly impersonating the National Chairman, following the Supreme Court’s ruling,” the statement reads.

    The statement added that a special investigative committee has been formed to review Abure’s actions with 48 hours to explain why disciplinary measures should not be taken against him.

    The statement added: “The NEC, in session, hereby announces the commencement of disciplinary actions against Mr. Abure. NEC gives Mr. Abure 48 hours notice to show why disciplinary actions would not be taken against him for his numerous acts of misconduct against the party.”

    Read Also: Labour Party suspends Otti, Kingibe, others

    “Mr. Abure has been warned to cease identifying as the National Chairman. The party has also urged him to address allegations of corruption, forgery, perjury, and criminal conspiracy against him.”

    “Mr. Abure is hereby warned to desist from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party or impersonating the office in any form.”

    “The NEC passed a vote of confidence in Abia Governor Alex Otti; former presidential candidate Peter Obi; the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and all Labour Party Caucus members in the National and State Assemblies.”

    “The party apologised to Obi and Otti for remarks by Abure.

    The statement also included a fact sheet outlining the events leading to the leadership dispute, emphasising the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the appeal by Sen. Nenadi Usman’s Caretaker Committee and dismiss Abure’s cross-appeal.

  • HURIWA warns Abure against undermining Labour Party

    HURIWA warns Abure against undermining Labour Party

    The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned Julius Abure’s continued occupation of the national chairmanship of the Labour Party, despite a definitive Supreme Court judgment dismissing his claims to the position.

    In a statement released on Friday, the civil rights group expressed alarm over what it described as Abure’s blatant disregard for the apex court’s ruling and his alleged efforts to destabilize one of Nigeria’s few credible opposition parties.

    HURIWA warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat if the country drifts into a de facto one-party system, stressing that a viable and respected opposition like the Labour Party must be protected and preserved.

    According to the group, Abure’s insistence on retaining the leadership role—despite the Supreme Court’s clear dismissal of his cross-appeal seeking judicial validation—is a direct affront to the rule of law and institutional integrity.

    Rather than complying with the judicial verdict, HURIWA alleged that Abure has chosen to cling to power, fueling internal crises and division within the party. 

    The group described his actions as contempt of court and a dangerous violation of the principle of separation of powers in a constitutional democracy.

    HURIWA also echoed concerns raised by legal expert and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, who recently warned against the growing trend of political actors twisting Supreme Court judgments for personal gain.

    Ubani described the practice as a dangerous affront to judicial authority, urging political leaders to respect the sanctity of the judiciary and uphold democratic norms.

    Ubani stated: “Even when orders of court are unambiguous, parties deliberately misinterpret and misrepresent them, particularly those of the Supreme Court, rather than submitting to the authority and finality of these decisions. Despite a clear judicial pronouncement, the contending factions have continued to hold opposing positions, undermining the authority of the court’s decision.”

    He urged the judiciary and the legal profession to act decisively by pursuing contempt proceedings against parties who misinterpret or defy court judgments. He also called for clearer consequential orders in judgments, ethical conduct by legal practitioners, and the active enforcement of judicial decisions.

    HURIWA echoed Ubani’s concerns and called on the Nigeria Police Force to perform its constitutional role by removing Julius Abure from the Labour Party national secretariat and enforcing the Supreme Court’s decision. “It is a matter of honour and law,”

    HURIWA stated. “If the Nigeria Police truly operates under the law and the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Police Act of 2020, then the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment should be non-negotiable.”

    The group emphasised that the police should not act like “a boys’ brigade of the ruling APC,” and must immediately enforce the legal rights of the lawfully recognized Labour Party leadership, which is the Interim National Committee led by former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman.

    The rights group insisted that the legitimate leaders should be given unfettered access to the party structure.

    HURIWA called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop acting in cowardice and assert its statutory supervisory role over political parties as enshrined in the Electoral Act.

    The group criticised INEC for enabling the confusion within the Labour Party through inaction and called for urgent intervention to prevent chaos from overtaking the internal workings of political parties in Nigeria.

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    HURIWA also called on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the original institutional promoter and founding stakeholder of the Labour Party, to rise up and reclaim its rightful oversight and leadership role within the party.

    “The NLC owns a significant stake—up to 50 percent—in the Labour Party. It must not remain silent in the face of this lawlessness. If there are plans by the NLC to take back the party and reassert control grounded in the rule of law, HURIWA stands firmly in support,” the statement read.

    The association decried Abure’s continued stay in office as symptomatic of a wider national malaise where individuals treat the Supreme Court with contempt and disregard, likening the situation to a “banana republic” where even the highest court’s orders are openly flouted.

    HURIWA concluded by warning that the continued undermining of constructive opposition politics and constitutional democracy in Nigeria cannot be tolerated. “Enough is enough,” the rights group stated. “We must respect the rule of law. The Supreme Court has spoken, and its judgment must be obeyed.”