The Labour Party (LP) has clarified that Julius Abure remains the national chairman, despite widespread misinterpretations of the Supreme Court judgment. The party insists that the ruling did not remove Abure but reaffirmed that political party leadership is an internal affair.
Supreme Court Ruling Does Not Sack Abure
In a statement released in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, emphasized that the Supreme Court judgment has been misrepresented in the media. He stated that the ruling did not invalidate the Appeal Court’s earlier judgment in Labour Party vs Ebiseni, which confirmed that Julius Abure remains the national chairman.
According to Ifoh, the Supreme Court ruling reaffirmed the principle that party leadership disputes should be resolved within the party. The court dismissed the cross-appeal filed against Abure, stating that his tenure had expired but did not officially remove him from office.
“The implication is very clear. Abure remains the Labour Party national chairman. The question is: who are the leaders of the party? The party constitution is clear as to who are the leaders of the party. The leadership of the party has been the National Working Committee led by Barrister Julius Abure.”
Labour Party Constitution Confirms Abure’s Leadership
Citing the Labour Party constitution, Ifoh explained that only the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Abure, has the authority to organize party meetings, including the National Convention held on March 27, 2024. The event, he said, solidified Abure’s leadership, a position also recognized by INEC.
Dismissing claims that the Supreme Court judgment sacked Abure, Ifoh argued that the gathering in Umuahia, where some individuals claimed new leadership emerged, was unconstitutional. He urged members to respect the Supreme Court ruling and refrain from dragging party matters into legal battles.
Abure Remains Labour Party Chairman Amid Internal Disputes
The Labour Party called on members to abide by the Supreme Court ruling and recognize that Abure remains the national chairman. The party reaffirmed that its constitution clearly defines leadership structures, and as of today, Julius Abure remains the Labour Party chairman.
