Victor EzejaFollowing the Abuja Federal High Court ruling declaring Julius Abure as the Labour Party national chairman, he has called on the presidential candidate of the party in 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, to help unite the party.
Delivering judgment, Justice Emeka Nwite held that Abure is the substantive national chairman of the party. The court also upheld the March 2024 national convention organised in Nnewi, Anambra where Abure was reelected for the office of national chairman.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelJustice Nwite also gave an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Abure as the legitimate chairman, overriding the Commission’s earlier position that Abure’s leadership was invalid.
Prime Business Africa reports that Abure and his team had approached the high court challenging their exclusion from INEC’s refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
INEC argued that Abure’s tenure as national chairman of the Labour Party expired in June and that the party’s March 2024 national convention where he was reelected was in breach of the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act and did not meet other legal requirements.
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The electoral body therefore contended that the party’s leadership is invalid and that it only engages with political parties that have legitimate leadership in place.
In a statement he personally signed, Julius Abure said that with the outcome of the ruling he has forgiven all who undermined his leadership, and thanked the judiciary, particularly Justice Nwite for his courage and integrity in delivering the judgment that, according to him, “upheld justice.”
He also thanked Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, who he said, had earlier validated the Labour Party’s convention held in Nnewi.
Abure claimed that some individuals who he said he would not like to mention, had approached Justice C. K. Nwankwo of the Abia High Court, seeking what he called “a kangaroo” interim and interlocutory orders against him and the party, but the judge declined to grant such.
“Now that the court has spoken, I offer my forgiveness to those who attempted to undermine our party, engaged in character assassination and blackmail especially of my person,” Abure stated.
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He however, said those who took action against his leadership in the party should consider restitution for the damages caused to him and his team.
“Only then can we truly move forward, heal our party, and work for the common good of Nigeria,” he stated.
“Be that as it may, I call on Peter Obi, the former Presidential candidate of our party to help unite the party,” he added.
He further stated that the judgment marks a new era for the party in Nigeria. He acknowledged that the party needs restructuring and healing, assuring that their door is open to all.
“In the coming days, we will focus on rebuilding our structures, reconnecting with our grassroots, and uniting our members. We will heal old wounds and emerge stronger than ever before. With the collective efforts of all members, we will continue to fight for the interests of the common man and the betterment of Nigeria.”
He thanked all members and supporters who stood by him during the challenging period.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
