Abure Remains National Chairman Despite Misinterpretation Of Supreme Court Ruling – LP

The Labour Party (LP) on Friday clarified that Julius Abure remains its national chairman, despite what it describes as widespread misinterpretation of a recent Supreme Court judgment.

Reacting to media reports suggesting Abure’s removal, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, issued a statement in Abuja emphasizing that the ruling did not sack the LP chairman.

According to Ifoh, while the Supreme Court acknowledged that party leadership issues are internal matters beyond judicial reach, it did not overturn the November 2024 Appeal Court ruling which affirmed Abure as chairman.

“The judgment did not set aside the Appeal Court decision in Labour Party vs Ebiseni and others (CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024), which upheld Julius Abure as the National Chairman. That judgment stands, unchallenged and unappealed,” Ifoh said.

The Supreme Court had noted that the judiciary cannot interfere in internal party affairs, including leadership decisions.

However, it also pointed out that Abure’s tenure had technically ended, leading to a misreading by some that his leadership had been nullified.

Ifoh dismissed that interpretation:“The Supreme Court did not sack Abure. It upheld the principle that political parties should resolve their leadership matters internally. As it stands, Abure remains our legitimate national chairman.”

The LP spokesman also defended the March 27, 2024 national convention, at which the party’s current leaders were elected.

He stated that the process followed Article 14 of the amended 2024 LP Constitution, which grants the National Secretary authority to issue notices for such meetings with the Chairman’s approval.

“The national convention was duly held and its outcomes submitted to INEC. Any parallel gatherings, such as the one in Umuahia, are unconstitutional and not recognized by the party or the electoral commission,” he said.

Ifoh called on party members to respect internal mechanisms for conflict resolution, aligning with the Supreme Court’s stance that such matters should not be dragged through the courts.

“We urge all true Labour Party members to respect the apex court’s position. Julius Abure remains the national chairman. Misrepresenting the ruling for political mischief only harms the party’s unity and progress,” he concluded.