The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refused to recognize Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, despite his name still appearing on the commission’s website in the list of political party chairmen. This development is revealed in a counter-affidavit filed by INEC at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as part of its response to a suit filed by the Labour Party.
The suit challenges the party’s exclusion from INEC’s refresher training on the uploading of party agents ahead of the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. According to INEC, Abure’s tenure as Labour Party’s National Chairman expired in June 2024.
The Labour Party has been embroiled in internal leadership disputes since June, when a congress held in Anambra State extended the term of Abure and his executive team. However, this extension has been questioned by several key figures within the party, including former Deputy Chairman Callistus Okafor, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi. These leaders recently held a national congress in an attempt to resolve the ongoing crisis.
This leadership struggle continues to impact the Labour Party as it prepares for upcoming elections in Nigeria.
