At last, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognised the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure in the Labour Party, following a recent court order.
In a letter addressed to Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the Secretary of the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony confirmed the Labour Party’s invitation to the upcoming fourth consultative meeting with political parties.
This decision is coming after a Federal High Court ruling on October 8, 2024, which declared that the Labour Party’s national convention held in Nnewi in March was both valid and constitutional.
Justice Emeka Nwite’s ruling mandated INEC to grant full recognition and privileges to the Labour Party’s National Working Committee under Abure’s leadership.
Speaking to the media after the meeting with INEC, National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim expressed satisfaction with INEC’s compliance and noted that the party is now fully reinstated among the 18 political parties.
He stressed the need for unity as the Labour Party prepares for upcoming political activities, particularly the Anambra governorship election.
“Now that leadership issues are settled, I urge all party members to rally behind the Abure leadership. This is a family matter, and we must work together to restore confidence within the party,” Ibrahim stated.
He noted that the Labour Party would emerge stronger and called on all members to contribute to rebuilding efforts.
“This is a no victor, no vanquished situation. We are all winners, and the party’s supremacy must guide our collective efforts moving forward,” he added.
Stakeholders led by the presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, and the Abia State Governor met in Umuahia on September 4, 2024, where Nenadi Usman was appointed as caretaker chairperson following a protracted crisis.
They had alleged that Abure’s tenure expired in June 2024, leading to INEC derecognising him, coupled with an alleged faulty convention in Umuahia, which INEC earlier disowned.
However, the High Court in Abuja, in a recent judgement, endorsed the convention as devoid of any infraction.
However, the Nenadi-led 29-member committee has vowed to appeal the judgement.
