Peter Obi vs Abure: INEC Breaks Silence, Says Supreme Court Ruling Still Under Review!

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to reach a decision on the Labour Party’s leadership dispute following the recent Supreme Court judgment.

According to multiple insiders at the commission who spoke to The PUNCH on Thursday, INEC is still in the process of reviewing the court’s ruling.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization, revealed: “No decision has been taken yet on the Supreme Court’s judgment concerning the Labour Party.”

Another source explained that the commission is awaiting the Certified True Copy of the ruling to fully understand the implications before making any official move.

“The commission must obtain and carefully examine the Certified True Copy of the judgment to interpret the court’s intent before taking a position,” the source said.

On April 4, 2025, the Supreme Court nullified a previous Court of Appeal ruling that had upheld Julius Abure as the Labour Party’s National Chairman, declaring that the appeal court lacked the jurisdiction to interfere in the party’s internal affairs.

The ruling has since sparked conflicting interpretations: Julius Abure maintains that the judgment did not strip him of leadership, while the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee insists the verdict effectively removed him. Meanwhile, Lamidi Apapa, another factional leader, has also claimed the party’s leadership.

In a move to resolve the confusion, a delegation from the Labour Party—led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi—visited INEC headquarters on April 9.

During the meeting, Otti submitted a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court ruling in a bid to clarify the party’s leadership structure and facilitate better coordination with the electoral body. The delegation was received by INEC National Commissioner Sam Olumekun and other senior officials.