The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that Julius Abure can no longer be recognized as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), declaring his leadership status “unconstitutional and illegal.” INEC clarified that the party’s March 2024 National Convention, where Abure was reportedly re-elected, was invalid.
According to INEC, the convention violated both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, rendering the leadership elected at the event null. “As the electoral body, we only engage with parties that have a valid, legally recognized leadership,” INEC stated.
This position was detailed in a counter affidavit submitted by INEC in response to a Labour Party lawsuit challenging its exclusion from a refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
INEC emphasized that Abure and other members of the National Working Committee were no longer valid leaders, as their tenure had expired in June 2024. INEC’s lead counsel, Tanko Inuwa (SAN), further argued that the Labour Party must prove its case based on its own merits, regardless of INEC’s admissions.
“The Labour Party’s convention failed to comply with legal frameworks, and thus, there is no valid leadership for us to recognize,” Inuwa added.
INEC urged the court to dismiss the Labour Party’s lawsuit, stating the party is not entitled to the reliefs it seeks.
