The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria has officially refused to recognize Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, declaring that his tenure expired in June 2024.
This was revealed in a counter-affidavit submitted by INEC at the Federal High Court in Abuja in response to a lawsuit filed by the Labour Party.
Despite Abure’s name still appearing on INEC’s official list of political party chairmen, the commission firmly stated that his leadership had legally ended. “Abure’s tenure as National Chairman of the Labour Party expired in June 2024, and we no longer acknowledge his role,” INEC said in the court document.
The case was triggered by Labour Party’s exclusion from INEC’s refresher training on the uploading of party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo state governorship elections. Abure’s supporters argued that his tenure was extended during a congress held in Anambra State, but the decision has been challenged by other prominent party members, including Callistus Okafor, former Deputy Chairman, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
As the party grapples with this internal leadership dispute, key figures like Peter Obi and Alex Otti are seeking ways to resolve the issue. A national congress was recently held to address the growing divide within the party.
