In a significant ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has declared Julius Abure as the substantive Chairman of the Labour Party, reaffirming the party’s national leadership from the March 2024 convention held in Nnewi.
The judgment overrides the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) previous stance that Abure’s leadership was no longer valid.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Nwite stated, “I am of the view that 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.”
He further affirmed that Abure’s leadership remains legitimate and ordered INEC to recognize and accord the Labour Party under his leadership all the rights and privileges of a duly registered political party in Nigeria.
Justice Nwite’s judgment came as a response to INEC’s argument that the Labour Party’s March 2024 convention violated the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.
INEC had contended that Julius Abure’s tenure as chairman had expired in June 2024 and, thus, should not be recognized as the party’s leader.
This argument was part of the electoral body’s defense against a lawsuit filed by the Labour Party after they were excluded from INEC’s training program for party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
INEC, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Tanko Inuwa, had maintained that the Labour Party failed to meet the legal requirements for holding its national convention, which led to the commission’s decision not to engage with the party.
Inuwa further argued that the reliefs sought by the Labour Party could not be granted solely on admissions and that the party was obligated to prove its case.
However, in a decisive ruling, Justice Nwite found that the Labour Party had adequately proven its case and reaffirmed Abure’s leadership.
“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 Barrister Julius Abure all the rights and privileges accorded a political party duly registered in Nigeria,” Nwite ruled.
