INEC Confirms Julius Abure’s Removal From Labour Party Leadership

INEC Confirms Julius Abure’s Removal From Labour Party Leadership

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that it no longer recognizes Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), describing his ongoing claim to the position as “illegal and unconstitutional……CONTINUE READING 

This statement was made in a counter-affidavit by Ayuba Mohammed from INEC’s Litigation and Prosecution Department, in response to a lawsuit filed by the Labour Party (Suit NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024). The Labour Party had contested its exclusion from INEC’s training for uploading party agents in preparation for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

The dispute arises from the expiration of Abure’s tenure on June 9, 2024, as confirmed by the Labour Party’s Board of Trustees Secretary, Salisu Mohammad. INEC stated that it did not oversee or recognize the Labour Party’s National Convention held in Anambra on March 27, 2024, where Abure claimed re-election as chairman.

According to INEC, both Abure’s leadership and the convention were in violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act. The commission emphasized that it only engages with political parties that have lawful leadership. INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa, SAN, argued that the Labour Party did not fulfill the legal requirements for its national convention, thus invalidating its leadership.

INEC has requested the court to dismiss the Labour Party’s lawsuit, asserting that the party is not entitled to the reliefs it seeks.