The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially withdrawn recognition of Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, citing the expiration of his tenure and the April 4, 2025, Supreme Court judgment.
Acting National Chairman of the party, Nenadi Usman, in a statement on Friday, welcomed the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which dismissed Abure’s case against INEC.
She said, “I received with profound relief and deep satisfaction the news of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which dismissed in its entirety the case instituted by Mr. Julius Abure against INEC.”
According to Usman, INEC, in an affidavit, confirmed that Abure’s tenure, along with that of the National Executive Committee, expired in June 2024, and the Commission did not recognise the purported Nnewi convention of March 27, 2024.
“This judgment and INEC’s clear position is a strong affirmation of the rule of law,” she noted, praising INEC for its clarity and institutional integrity.
Usman urged Labour Party members to move past the leadership crisis.
“With this judgment and INEC’s clear position, it is time for all members to recommit to the urgent task of repositioning our party into the credible, disciplined, and people-centred movement that Nigerians deserve,” she said, pledging to uphold the party’s constitution and ensure internal democracy.
Former National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara, also lauded INEC’s affidavit, saying it “removed any lingering doubt” over Abure’s leadership claim.
“This is a fresh, unequivocal statement under oath by the electoral umpire that Julius Abure is no longer the National Chairman. It aligns perfectly with the Supreme Court judgment. Nigerians should ignore any contrary propaganda,” Opara said.
She accused Abure of clinging to power through “publicity stunts” and urged members to respect the law.
“The law is clear: his tenure expired in June 2024, the Nnewi Convention was invalid, and the Supreme Court has spoken. This counter affidavit is yet another nail in the coffin of these desperate claims,” she added.
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