Abure no longer Labour Party chairman – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated that it is both illegal and unconstitutional for Julius Abure to persist in portraying himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

The commission has declared that it does not recognize Abure and other members of the national working committee of the party, as their tenure lapsed in June 2024.

INEC’s stance was articulated in a counter affidavit submitted in response to the Labour Party’s legal action contesting its exclusion from INEC’s refresher training designated for the purpose of uploading party agents in anticipation of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

INEC has asserted that the leadership of the Labour Party, inclusive of Abure, is now rendered invalid, and the Commission does not acknowledge the party’s National Convention held in March 2024, which purportedly re-elected Abure as chairman.

INEC has maintained that the aforementioned convention contravened the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, emphasizing that it only interacts with parties that possess valid and enduring leadership.

In a formal written address supporting the counter affidavit, INEC’s legal team, under the leadership of Tanko Inuwa, SAN, contended that the Labour Party’s suit is pursuing declaratory reliefs, which cannot be granted merely as a matter of course or founded solely on simple admissions.

They argued that the Labour Party must prevail based on the merits of its case, even when confronted with admissions.

The Commission’s legal representatives further posited that, having failed to adhere to the applicable legal frameworks in conducting its national convention, the Labour Party lacks a valid leadership with which INEC can engage.

They urged the court to dismiss the suit, asserting that the Labour Party is not entitled to the reliefs being sought.