LP chieftain urges peace as court affirms Abure’s NWC

Embattled chair canvasses unity, forgiveness, healing

Following yesterday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming Julius Abure as the authentic National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), the Director-General, Directorate on Mobilisation and Integration, Marcel Ngogbehei, has called for the reconciliation of the major actors in the party to solidify its presence in the country.

For Ngogbehei, it is time to sheathe the swords and commence the rebuilding process towards 2027.

The LP chief, who is also the founder, Obidient Peace and Reconciliation Group (OPRG), said the court judgment put to rest the leadership crisis in the party.

He stated, yesterday: “Everyone that played a role on either side has a genuine concern, which has now been laid to rest.

“There was an initial concern that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejecting the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) might invalidate the LP candidate’s electoral victory in 2027 and concerned stakeholders moved in good faith to set up a caretaker committee to ensure this risk is mitigated. Anyone thinking far ahead enough will most likely do the same thing.”

Abure had been at loggerheads with key party figures, including the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, the only governor elected on the party’s platform.

Last month, the party, at a meeting convened in Umuahia by Otti, dissolved the Abure-led NWC and appointed a 29-member caretaker committee headed by former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, with Darlington Nwakocha as secretary.

The meeting explained that its decision to dissolve the Abure-led NWC was based on a 2018 court judgment and an agreement facilitated by INEC.

Ngogbehei, however, said yesterday’s Federal High Court ruling gave respite and confidence across board and ushered in a lasting peace, it’s now time for party stakeholders to come together and build towards 2027.

“LP under Abure, Obi and the Obidient Movement needs to work together now to rescue the suffering masses from the claws of APC,” he added.

JUSTICE Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, declared Abure the substantive Chairman of LP.

In his judgment, the judge affirmed the March 2024 Nnewi convention that produced the party’s leadership under Abure.

Nwite further ordered INEC to recognise Abure as the legitimate chairman, overriding the commission’s earlier stance that Abure’s leadership was invalid.

He held, “I am of the view, and so hold, that the basis of these cogent verifiable documents, the defendants’ attempt to impeach the validity of the leadership of the plaintiff fails.

“The plaintiff has proved his case. I, hereby, make an order compelling the defendant to accord the plaintiff’s political party under the leadership of Abure all the rights and privileges accorded a political party duly registered in Nigeria.”

INEC had said that Abure was no longer the National Chairman of LP, arguing that his tenure expired in June 2024.

ABURE, in a statement following yesterday’s ruling, expressed deep gratitude to God, the judiciary and the party faithful for standing firm through a challenging period.

He praised the courage of Justice Nwite and other judges for their integrity in resisting external pressures and delivering fair judgment that upheld justice and democracy.

The embattled party chairman called for reflection, repentance and restitution, urging unity and reconciliation to strengthen the party for the future.

In a notable appeal, he urged Obi to join him in the effort to heal divisions and rebuild the party from within.