The crisis within the Labour Party has deepened, as the party’s former National Treasurer, Oluchi Oparah, has accused Julius Abure of deliberately undermining the authority of the Supreme Court following its recent ruling nullifying his leadership.
On April 4, 2025, the apex court upheld an appeal challenging the legality of Abure’s position, ruling that the lower courts lacked jurisdiction to interfere in the party’s internal affairs. The judgment effectively declared that the tenure of Abure and the previous National Working Committee (NWC) had expired since June 8, 2024.
Despite this clear verdict, Abure has continued to parade himself as the party’s National Chairman—issuing statements, granting interviews, and even making veiled threats against key figures such as Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Party insiders describe Abure’s behavior as a “calculated affront to the rule of law and party democracy.” Oparah echoed this sentiment, describing his actions as a “dangerous display of political desperation” that could severely damage the Labour Party’s credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“It is shameful and unfortunate that Abure, after benefiting from the judiciary in the past, has now chosen to ignore the very court that once upheld his claims,” Oparah stated.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reportedly refused to recognize the controversial convention Abure convened on March 27, 2024, further isolating him and bolstering his critics’ claims.
In a strongly worded statement, Oparah called Abure’s conduct “a dangerous rebellion against the rule of law,” warning that his continued defiance could plunge the party into chaos.
“The Supreme Court delivered a final and binding judgment. But rather than comply with the law, Julius Abure has chosen the path of illegality, holding on to power that no longer belongs to him,” she said.
She further emphasized that Abure’s refusal to relinquish office, despite the court’s verdict, constitutes a clear violation of constitutional order and party discipline.
“It is not just an internal affair anymore. It’s about the integrity of our institutions. Abure is dragging the Labour Party into disrepute and treating the Supreme Court with contempt. This is unacceptable.”
Oparah, who had previously raised concerns about financial mismanagement under Abure’s leadership, also accused him of clinging to power out of fear of accountability.
“He is afraid of what will happen once he steps down. But no one is above the law,” she said.
She urged INEC and security agencies to enforce the Supreme Court’s judgment and prevent what she called “a power hijack by a rejected official.”
According to her, Abure’s ongoing defiance is rooted in a secret convention held at Newi on March 27, 2024. The event was neither recognized by INEC nor publicly acknowledged at the time.
“When he realized the convention was illegal, Abure went to court to compel INEC to recognize it. He initially won at both the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, and we all respected those rulings,” she explained.
“However, now that the Supreme Court has ruled against him, Abure is refusing to comply. That is unacceptable.”
Oluchi also clarified that she refers to herself as the “former” National Treasurer because her own tenure has ended—and she expects others to do the same.
She criticized Abure’s continued use of threats, especially against Governor Otti and Peter Obi, saying such actions have no legal or moral standing.
She concluded by affirming that the real leaders of the Labour Party today are its elected officials—governors, senators, and members of the House of Representatives—who, on September 4, 2024, formed a restructuring committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman to steer the party forward.
