The crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a new turn as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has now recognised Julius Abure as the national Chairman of the party.
This was communicated by the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran- Anthony, through a letter addressed to Barrister Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim.
In the letter, both individuals were invited them to the fourth consultative meeting with the political parties, on Thursday in Abuja.
It would be recalled that on October 8, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja declared that the 2024 Labour Party national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, in March as valid, constitutional and in line with all laid down laws in Nigeria.
Justice Emeka Nwite while delivering his judgement had asked INEC to grant due recognition and all privileges to the Labour Party’s National Working Committee led by Abure.
Speaking to the media after the meeting with INEC, the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, had urged everyone to rally round Abure.
“With the issue of leadership now completely resolved, I urge every member of the party to rally round the Abure leadership. What transpired is only a family affairs and we will as a family work towards restoring confidence to the party and every aggrieved or misled member of the party.”
“Labour Party will come back stronger but we need everyone to join in the process of rebuilding the paper. It is a no victor nor vanquish situation. We are all winners. The party is however supreme and every member must work towards achieving set targets of the party,” Ibrahim said.
Abure’s removal had come with controversy with the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 general election Peter Obi noting that Abure was removed based on the party constitution.
It is unclear what his reaction and that of other stakeholders in the party will be to the latest developments.
