Labour Party Crisis: Court Removes Julius Abure as National Chairman

Labour Party Crisis: Court Removes Julius Abure as National Chairman

In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Senator Esther Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the party’s legitimate leadership.

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, held that evidence before the court established that Abure’s tenure as LP national chairman had elapsed. The court also dismissed Abure’s contention that the matter was an internal affair of a political party, which is non-justiciable, stating that the setting up of the LP Caretaker Committee was “a necessity” that arose from the Supreme Court’s order .

The Labour Party had been embroiled in a leadership crisis, which led to the National Executive Committee (NEC) resolving to remove Abure as National Chairman. Following this, a 29-member caretaker committee was set up, with Senator Nenadi Usman appointed as chairman .

The court’s decision has significant implications for the Labour Party, as it clears the way for the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee to formally assume control of the party’s affairs ahead of its next national convention. INEC is now expected to recognize the committee as the party’s legitimate leadership .