The Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Abure’s leadership and the executive committee formed during the party’s March 2024 national convention in Nnewi.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Nwite stated, “I am of the view that, based on these cogent verifiable documents, the defendants’ attempt to impeach the validity of the leadership of the plaintiff fails.
The plaintiff has proved his case, and I hereby make an order compelling the defendant to accord the plaintiff’s political party, under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure, all the rights and privileges accorded to a political party duly registered in Nigeria.”
The Labour Party, in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, had sued INEC, seeking a court order to compel the electoral body to recognise the Abure-led executive and reinstate its rights, particularly for participation in the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024. Additionally, the party demanded ₦5 million in damages.
This legal battle followed INEC’s earlier decision to not recognise Abure as LP chairman, which led to tensions within the party. LP had accused its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, of betrayal after the fallout.
In its defence, INEC argued that the Labour Party’s leadership was invalid, claiming that the March 2024 convention violated both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act. According to the commission, the party’s failure to meet the legal requirements for the convention invalidated Abure’s leadership, and it urged the court to dismiss the suit.
This ruling brings closure to months of legal wrangling. In April 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, had earlier restrained Abure and other party executives from parading themselves as leaders, deepening the leadership crisis.
