The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has challenged Julius Abure’s position as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, but his name still appears on the electoral umpire’s website.
Based on a counter-affidavit filed in the Federal High Court in Abuja, INEC asserts that Abure’s term as chairman expired in June 2024. This disclosure is part of INEC’s response to a Labour Party suit that disputes its exclusion from refresher training for party agents ahead of the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
The Labour Party has faced a significant leadership dispute since June, following a congress in Anambra State that extended Abure’s tenure. This extension has been controversial and contested by various party members, including former deputy chairman Callistus Okafor, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi. These leaders have recently convened a national congress in an attempt to address and resolve the ongoing leadership conflict.
READ ALSO : Tension escalates in Labour Party as NLC pushes hard for Abure’s removal
Credible News recalls that sometime in April, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah, in a statement, denounced Abure’s re-election at a contentious convention as “illegitimate” and out rightly rejected his authority.
“Our position is clear. Abure remains unknown to us. As far as we know, he does not exist,” Upah affirmed.
Peter Obi, the LP’s presidential candidate, seemed to be in disagreement with the party leadership. Obi who voiced his frustration during an X, formerly Twitter Space session, cited dissatisfaction with the insufficient consultation preceding the convention. He was notably absent from the event that re-elected Abure.
The internal crisis within the Labour Party, took a new turn when Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, backed the election of former finance minister, Mrs. Nenadi Usman, as the new caretaker chairperson of the party.
Usman, was chosen during a meeting at the Abia Government House in Umuahia, convened by Governor Otti. The gathering was attended by key party figures, including Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.
Credible News.ng
