Embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has reaffirmed his position as the party’s leader, offering a fresh interpretation of the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2025 judgment amid rising controversy over its implications for LP’s leadership structure.
At a press conference in Abuja, addressed by the party’s faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, he claimed that contrary to speculations, the judgment does not nullify the March 27, 2024 National Convention held in Nnewi, which reaffirmed Abure’s position as National Chairman.
Speaking on behalf of Abure, Ifoh accused internal rivals of deliberately misrepresenting the court’s ruling.
“The judgment is being twisted by political opportunists and disgruntled elements who are bent on creating confusion and discrediting a legitimate convention,” he said.
According to Ifoh, the apex court did not overturn the decisions taken at the Nnewi convention, nor did it remove Abure from office. Instead, he said, the ruling reinforced the judiciary’s consistent position that internal party matters—especially those concerning conventions and leadership selection conducted in accordance with a party’s constitution—are not within the court’s purview.
“The Supreme Court simply restated its well-established stance: it has no jurisdiction to interfere in intra-party affairs. That includes questioning the outcome of our convention,” Ifoh stated.
“Julius Abure remains the National Chairman of the Labour Party—duly elected, recognized by INEC, and supported by the party’s top decision-making bodies.”
He further noted that all necessary notifications were duly sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which continues to correspond officially with Abure and the party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk.
The press briefing also highlighted that the party’s National Executive Council had extended the tenure of the current leadership in April 2023 to accommodate post-election legal challenges. This, they said, made the March 2024 convention both timely and valid.
While other factions argue that the Supreme Court’s silence on Abure’s status implies uncertainty or a leadership vacuum, Ifoh dismissed such claims as “deliberate misinformation aimed at hijacking the party through the backdoor.”
As internal disputes escalate, party elders and political analysts are urging reconciliation and unity, particularly in light of upcoming off-cycle elections where a fractured leadership could impact the party’s performance.